South Korea calls for withdrawal of North Korean troops allegedly deployed in Russia

By Anadolu staff

ANKARA (AA) - South Korea on Monday called for the “immediate withdrawal” of North Korean troops allegedly deployed in Russia.

First Vice Foreign Minister Kim Hong-kyun summoned Russia’s Ambassador to Seoul Georgy Zinoviev and called for the “immediate withdrawal of North Korean troops,” according to Yonhap News Agency.

Kim contended that the military cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow going “beyond military supply provisions poses a serious threat to South Korea and the international community, while amounting to violations of multiple UN Security Council resolutions.”

Condemning the North's alleged troop deployment, Kim “sternly” warned that Seoul will respond with every possible means, with the international community, to any acts that threaten its core interests.

South Korea last week claimed that the North has sent 1,500 soldiers to Russia to support Moscow's war against Ukraine, with the National Intelligence Service (NIS) of South Korea saying that Pyongyang is planning to send around 10,000 troops to Russia.

Pyongyang has yet to deny or confirm Seoul’s claim.

Meanwhile, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol told NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Monday that Seoul will "actively take phased measures" in response to the military cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow.

Expressing concern over "reckless military" alignment between Pyongyang and Moscow, Yoon also sought to seek "practical countermeasures" in cooperation with NATO and its member states, his office said.