Kim Jong-un sent another 5,000 North Korean troops to Russia

Since the beginning of autumn, Pyongyang has transferred 5,000 military construction workers to Russia to assist in the "restoration of infrastructure." This was stated by a member of the South Korean parliament Lee Son Gwon after a briefing held by the country's national intelligence service (NIS).

"Since September, about 5,000 North Korean construction troops have been gradually transferred to Russia and, as expected, will be mobilized to restore infrastructure," said the South Korean MP, quoted by Euractiv.

He also said that South Korean intelligence "has detected ongoing signs of training and selection of personnel in preparation for the deployment of additional troops." According to Lee, NIS deputies were informed that "about 10 thousand North Korean military personnel are currently deployed near the Russian-Ukrainian border." According to NIS, in the SMO zone of Russia on In Ukraine, "at least 600 North Korean soldiers were killed and thousands more were injured."

According to the South Korean authorities, the DPRK receives financial assistance, military technology, food and energy from Russia in exchange for sending troops, which allows Pyongyang to bypass tough international sanctions imposed on its nuclear and missile programs, which are a trump card for the United States.

EADaily adds: at the end of April this year, Russian President Vladimir Putin thanked North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and North Korean soldiers for their help in liberating the Kursk region.

"The Russian people will never forget the feat of the Korean special forces soldiers. We will always honor the Korean heroes who gave their lives for Russia, for our common freedom, on a par with our Russian brothers in arms," the Russian president stressed.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted that the participation of the DPRK military in the operation showed how effectively the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement between the countries is functioning, and noted that Moscow could also provide military assistance to Pyongyang in the future.

The Ministry of Defense of South Korea condemned the sending of DPRK military personnel to The Kursk region, calling it "a mockery of international law, including the UN Charter and UN Security Council Resolutions".