S. Korea strongly condemns N. Korea's admission of troop dispatch to Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, and North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un talk to each other during their meeting in Pyongyang, North Korea, June 19, 2024. AP-Yonhap

South Korea on Monday strongly condemned North Korea's first public admission of sending troops to Russia in support of its war against Ukraine, accusing Pyongyang of "mocking" the international community by justifying the deployment.

The foreign ministry issued the statement after the North confirmed through its state media for the first time that it has deployed troops to Russia to aid Moscow's war in Kyiv under their mutual defense treaty.

Pyongyang said the decision was made at the behest of its leader Kim Jong-un and claimed that it was fully legitimate in line with the treaty committing the two sides to providing military assistance in case either of them is attacked.

"With their public admission of the deployment, while claiming they are fully in accordance with international law, they are once again mocking the international community. We strongly condemn this action," the ministry said.

"The dispatch of the North Korean troops, along with broader military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, constitutes a grave violation of international norms, including the U.N. Charter, and U.N. Security Council resolutions," it said.

The government urged Russia and North Korea to "immediately cease their unlawful military cooperation," stressing it "seriously undermines peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond, including Europe."

"We will work closely with the international community to take all necessary measures against any actions that threaten our national security."