N. Korea 'admitted to criminal acts' by confirming troop dispatch to Russia: Seoul

Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, shakes hands with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un during a meeting in Pyongyang, June 19. AFP-Yonhap

South Korea's defense ministry criticized North Korea for its first-ever confirmation of troop deployment in support of Russia's war against Ukraine, saying the North admitted to its own criminal acts with such an announcement.

Earlier in the day, North Korea confirmed that it has dispatched troops to Russia under "the order" of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in accordance with Pyongyang's mutual defense treaty with Moscow, claiming the North's soldiers helped Russia regain control of Kursk.

"North Korean troops engaging in the Ukraine war is an illegitimate act that clearly violates the U.N. Charter and Security Council resolutions," ministry spokesperson Jeon Ha-kyou told a regular press briefing. "By officially acknowledging it, (the North) has admitted to its own criminal acts."

Jeon also called the North's description of the troop deployment as being aligned with the spirit of international treaties a "deception."

In a statement released earlier in the day, the North's Central Military Commission said the military activities of North Korean troops to Russia "fully conform to the spirit of the U.N. Charter and other international laws" and that the North's mutual defense treaty with Russia serves as a "model example."

"It is merely a deceptive action aimed at decorating the North's illegitimate action," Jeon said, adding the military will closely monitor movements related to Kim's potential visit to Russia.

South Korea's National Intelligence Service said in October that North Korea had decided to send more than 10,000 troops to Russia. The military estimates that North Korea sent an additional 3,000 soldiers to the Kursk region in January and February.