North Korean soldiers deployed in platoon level units of Russian Army: South Korean Defense Minister

Seoul, November 28 (IANS). South Korea’s defense chief said on Thursday that North Korean soldiers stationed in Russia have been deployed at platoon level in the Russian army. He said there was a strong possibility that these soldiers would be used as ‘cannon fodder’ in dangerous areas.

Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun made the remarks during a session of the parliamentary defense committee, Yonhap news agency reported. A ruling party lawmaker had asked him to confirm intelligence about whether North Korean soldiers were embedded in groups of Russian army platoons.

“It should be noted that the war is being led by Russia. The heads of Russian military units retain the authority to send North Korean troops to the most dangerous and difficult areas,” Kim said. He insisted that ‘cannon fodder’ was the correct description of this entire situation.

Earlier, Ukrainian officials had claimed that North Korean soldiers stationed in Russia had been incorporated into Russian military units.

Kim also reaffirmed his stance that South Korea should send a military monitoring team to Ukraine.

Regarding the possibility of Seoul providing weapons to Kiev, Kim said that South Korea would “work together with the international community” instead of taking any action on the issue.

On Wednesday, a Ukrainian delegation led by Kiev’s defense minister visited South Korea for talks with President Yoon Suk Yeol, National Security Advisor Shin Won-sik and Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun.

The presidential office said the delegation shared intelligence on growing military cooperation between Russia and North Korea and discussed joint responses to security threats.

However, it was not clear whether the delegation had requested arms assistance from South Korea.

–IANS

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