North Korea Deepens Military Ties with Russia Amid Ukraine Conflict

North Korea's Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui is visiting Russia amid reports of North Korean troops aiding Russia in Ukraine. South Korean intelligence suggests North Korea may negotiate for Russian technology in return, and Seoul stresses international vigilance against illegal arms exchanges between North Korea and Russia.

North Korea announced on Tuesday that its foreign minister, Choe Son Hui, is visiting Russia in a move highlighting deepening military ties between the two nations. This development comes as South Korean and Western officials report that North Korea has dispatched thousands of troops to aid Russia in its ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

During a closed parliamentary session, South Korea's spy agency suggested that Choe's trip might involve negotiating additional troop deployments and securing technology from Russia in return. The Pentagon reported on Monday that North Korea sent about 10,000 troops to Russia, destined for Ukrainian battlefields.

Amid concerns over prolonged aggression in Ukraine, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol emphasized the need for international coordination to monitor illegal military exchanges between Pyongyang and Moscow. Allegations persist regarding North Korea's provision of artillery to Russia, flouting UN sanctions and potentially enhancing its own military capabilities.

(With inputs from agencies.)