The top official of a Ukrainian government organization says a video purportedly showing North Korean soldiers at a training facility in Russia was taken by a member of the Russian military.
The footage was posted on social media on Friday by Ukraine’s Centre for Strategic Communication and Information Security, which operates under the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy.
The video reportedly shows North Korean soldiers receiving supplies and other items at a training facility in Russia.
The center’s chief, Ihor Solovei, said in an interview with NHK on Monday that the video was taken by a member of the Russian military.
He said the center received the video no later than 72 hours after it was filmed and that it indicated that North Korean troops are certain to be in Russia.
Solovei said the center also obtained from the source of the video a Russian military questionnaire for North Korean troops asking for information including clothing sizes.
He said it is highly likely that when the Russians run out of their own troops, North Korean soldiers will be sent to the front lines.
Referring to North Korean soldiers who return home with combat experience, Solovei said they will probably not hesitate to implement what they have learned in their region.
He said the North Korean troops’ combat experience could have an impact on regional security in northeast Asia.