Claims of North Korean military support for Russia's war in Ukraine 'very worrying', France says

South Korea’s intelligence service on Friday released satellite images it said showed the first deployment of 1,500 elite North Korean special forces soldiers to the port city of Vladivostok in Russia's Far East. Ukraine responded by asking its allies for an "immediate and strong reaction” to what it described as Pyongyang's aid for "Russian aggression".

France expressed concern Friday about growing military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, after South Korean intelligence said the North was deploying many troops to support Moscow’s war in Ukraine.

“An increase in North Korean cross-cooperation and military support for the Russian war effort in Ukraine is very worrying,” foreign ministry spokesman Christophe Lemoine told reporters.

Earlier Friday Seoul’s spy agency said North Korea has deployed its first contingent of 1,500 special forces soldiers to the Pacific port city of Vladivostok, in the Russian Far East, and will be sending many more in the near future.

NATO chief Mark Rutte said the alliance could not as yet confirm South Korea’s intelligence.

(FRANCE 24 with AFP)


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