Yoon Condemns North Korea’s Troop Presence in Russia as Global Security Threat.

Seoul: President Yoon Suk Yeol has raised alarms over North Korea's troop deployment in Russia, classifying it as a significant security threat not only to South Korea but also to the international community. Speaking during a Cabinet meeting, Yoon criticized what he described as "illegal" military cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow. According to Yonhap News Agency, North Korea has stationed its troops in western Russia, with indications pointing towards their potential readiness for engagement against Ukrainian forces. President Yoon emphasized the gravity of this military collaboration, stating, "This illegal military cooperation between Russia and North Korea is a significant security threat to the international community and could pose a serious risk to our national security." Yoon underscored the ongoing war in Ukraine, highlighting that North Korea has escalated its involvement from merely supplying weapons to deploying troops. He urged for a comprehensive assessment and preparedness to manage p otential risks, calling for heightened vigilance and proactive risk management. Additionally, Yoon advised the South Korean government to remain vigilant against external uncertainties, particularly with the upcoming U.S. presidential election and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East following recent conflicts between Israel and Iran. He stressed the importance of timely responses to safeguard the economy from disruptions in supply chains, oil prices, and exchange rates. In a recent conversation with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Yoon expressed concerns that the deployment of North Korean troops to Ukraine's front lines might occur sooner than anticipated. Seoul's intelligence agency had predicted the deployment of approximately 10,000 North Korean soldiers by December. Furthermore, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte received confirmation from a South Korean delegation regarding the deployment of North Korean troops to Russia's Kursk region near Ukraine. While Russian President Vla dimir Putin has remained non-committal about the troop presence, he reaffirmed the strategic partnership treaty with Pyongyang, which includes mutual defense agreements ratified by Russian lawmakers last week.