North Korea dismissed allegations on Monday that it has dispatched troops to assist Russia in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
A representative from Pyongyang at the United Nations in New York described Seoul’s claims on the matter as “baseless rumors.”
During a session of the UN General Assembly, the North Korean representative emphasized, “In regards to so-called military cooperation with Russia, my delegation does not feel the need to comment on these unfounded, stereotypical rumors.”
He added that Seoul’s statements aim “to tarnish the image of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and undermine the legitimate and friendly relations and cooperation between two sovereign states.”
In a related development, South Korea summoned the Russian ambassador in Seoul to demand the “immediate” withdrawal of the troops Pyongyang allegedly sent to support Moscow’s war efforts against Ukraine, according to South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The South Korean National Intelligence Service reported last Friday that about 1,500 soldiers from North Korea’s special forces are currently in Russia to acclimate before soon heading to the front lines, with a total of 12,000 troops expected to be deployed.
The South Korean intelligence agency provided detailed satellite images in its report that allegedly show the first deployment of these troops.
Yonhap News Agency, citing a government source today, reported that Seoul is considering sending a delegation to Ukraine, including military intelligence personnel, to monitor the deployment of North Korean forces.
While relations between Pyongyang and Seoul remain at their lowest in decades, North Korea has moved closer to Russia, a long-time ally since its establishment post-World War II.
Both South Korea and the United States have long maintained that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has been sending weapons to Russia for use in Ukraine.
