N. Korea Addresses Alleged Troop Deployment to Russia, Citing International Law

PYONGYANG: North Korea's foreign ministry announced on Friday that any alleged dispatch of North Korean troops to Russia would be consistent with international law, implicitly acknowledging a potential deployment plan. This statement comes amidst international speculation and concern over North Korea's military involvement with Russia. According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim Jong-gyu, the vice foreign minister responsible for Russian affairs, commented on the situation following a denial from one of North Korea's United Nations representatives, who labeled South Korea's claims of troop dispatch as a "groundless rumor." Kim stated, "If there is such a thing that the world media is talking about, I think it will be an act conforming with the regulations of international law." He further noted that there might be forces attempting to portray such actions as illegal. The vice foreign minister refrained from confirming the troop dispatch, emphasizing that it falls under the defense ministry's jurisdiction, a matter in which the foreign ministry does not interfere. This marks Pyongyang's first official statement on the matter, coming after Russian President Vladimir Putin avoided denying reports of the deployment, referring to it as "our own business." Both South Korea and the United States have previously alleged that North Korea sent approximately 3,000 troops to eastern Russia, potentially for involvement in the ongoing conflict with Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, on Friday, indicated that intelligence suggests Russia plans to deploy the initial group of North Korean soldiers to combat zones as soon as Sunday or Monday.