**North Korean Troops Deployed to Russia, Called ‘Cannon Fodder Mercenaries’ by South Korean Defense Chief**

Seoul: Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun has labeled North Korean forces sent to Russia as "cannon fodder mercenaries," accusing North Korean leader Kim Jong-un of providing military support for what he described as an "illegal war of aggression" in Ukraine. This statement follows reports from the National Intelligence Service indicating the deployment of approximately 3,000 North Korean soldiers to aid Russia. According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim's comments were made during a parliamentary audit session, highlighting concerns over North Korea's involvement in the conflict. He criticized the deployment of troops under Russian command, disguised in Russian uniforms, lacking their national insignia or flags. Kim emphasized that North Korean soldiers are operating without any direct operational authority. The situation escalated after a Ukrainian government-affiliated organization released video footage showing soldiers, identified by their North Korean accent, receiving gear at what was claimed to be a training site in Russia's Far East. U.S. officials corroborated these reports, with a White House representative confirming the presence of at least 3,000 North Korean troops in eastern Russia undergoing training. South Korea's intelligence agency anticipates that North Korea could ultimately deploy around 10,000 troops to Russia by the end of the year. Kim Yong-hyun also warned of potential further troop deployments in the coming year. Additionally, the defense minister expressed concerns about the possibility of North Korea conducting significant weapons tests, such as an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launch, ahead of the upcoming U.S. presidential election. This could serve as a strategic move to enhance North Korea's negotiating position in future talks with the United States. Kim noted North Korea's previous ICBM tests have been conducted on a lofted trajectory and suggested the possibility of a normal trajectory launch intended to demonstrate re-entry capabilities. These remarks came shortly after North Korean state media released images of Kim Jong-un inspecting what appeared to be ICBMs and hypersonic missiles, underscoring the leader's ongoing focus on strengthening the country's military deterrence capabilities.