Defense Chief Denounces North Korean Soldiers in Russia as ‘Cannon Fodder Mercenaries’

Seoul: Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun has condemned North Korean troops reportedly sent to Russia as "cannon fodder mercenaries," accusing North Korean leader Kim Jong-un of deploying his soldiers in support of Russia's war in Ukraine. The remarks were made during a parliamentary audit session, following the National Intelligence Service's report that approximately 3,000 North Korean soldiers have been dispatched to Russia. According to Yonhap News Agency, the troops are believed to be operating under Russian military command, disguised in Russian uniforms, and lacking any operational authority from North Korea. "When troops are dispatched overseas, they usually maintain their country's chain of command and proudly conduct activities with their military uniform, insignia, and flag," Kim stated. The defense minister criticized the deployment, asserting that the soldiers are acting as mere "cannon fodder mercenaries" and accused Kim Jong-un of selling his army "for an illegal war of aggression." Supporting th ese claims, video footage released by a Ukrainian government-affiliated organization last week showed Asian soldiers, allegedly speaking with a North Korean accent, receiving equipment at a training ground in Russia's Far East. A White House official has also confirmed that at least 3,000 North Korean troops were sent to eastern Russia earlier this month and are currently undergoing training. In addition to the situation in Russia, Defense Minister Kim expressed concerns over the possibility of North Korea conducting an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test on a normal trajectory ahead of the upcoming U.S. presidential election. "If they do stage it this time, they could fire it on a normal trajectory as it is their goal to successfully stage a re-entry test," Kim remarked. North Korea has historically test-fired ICBMs on a lofted trajectory, which sends them to higher altitudes with a shorter horizontal range. A normal trajectory launch would maximize distance, raising concerns over North Korea's missile capabilities. These remarks followed the release of photos by North Korea's state media, showing Kim Jong-un inspecting ICBMs and hypersonic missiles during visits to "strategic missile bases." During these inspections, Kim Jong-un reiterated the need to bolster the country's war deterrence, though the exact timing of the visits was not disclosed.