A spokesperson for Russia’s presidential office says the country’s cooperation with North Korea is not directed against third nations, amid speculation that North Korean troops might be deployed to the conflict in Ukraine.
Dmitry Peskov made the remark on Monday. He also said the bilateral cooperation should not cause any concern and that the two countries will continue to develop their cooperation.
Last Friday, South Korea’s National Intelligence Service said roughly 1,500 special forces troops from North Korea were sent to Russia’s Far East this month. It said it believes the soldiers will be deployed to the battlefront in Ukraine. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, however, said he could not confirm reports that Pyongyang has sent troops to Russia.
Peskov did not make any detailed comment about the alleged presence of North Korean soldiers in Russia. The spokesperson just said he saw a lot of conflicting information, with South Korea claiming one thing, while the Pentagon says it has not confirmed such reports.
South Korea’s first vice foreign minister Kim Hong-kyun on Monday summoned the Russian ambassador to Seoul Georgy Zinoviev and urged that North Korean troops not be sent to Ukraine.
South Korea, along with the United States, remains on the alert for moves by Russia and North Korea.