I can't confirm those reports, but if that is the case, it's serious."
To me the easiest explanation is that South Korea thinks North Korea is getting something sufficiently valuable for that troop deployment, so that it makes sense to take some risk to impose costs on Russia,
People tend to think that North Korea will just send a few soldiers, receive economic support and get minor military technologies in return. But Kim Jong Un’s perspective is much broader than that,
They won't look very strong if they don't react somehow. And sending weapons to Ukraine is something they are de facto doing already,
Although the number of troops being deployed might be small, the implications of such deployment are significant,
For North Korea, fighting in Russia is not just about helping Russia — it’s seen as participating in North Korea’s own sacred war against the U.S.,
As for the DPRK. Russia is being so careful with this topic, I think, so that China does not react harshly. Moreover, the EU and the United States are also very cautious about this topic. Pay attention to this: they are very cautious. But we are sounding the alarm because we know that these are risks for us,
I think it's because of money [the DPRK supports Russian policy – ed.]. I think North Korea is very poor. They will send their people to the front line to overcome poverty."
I think I saw this open signal from them,
In general, they support us. They have the appropriate, let's say, constitutional status. They are limited in some things. But, nevertheless, we are definitely working together and they are definitely helping,
What we know is that North Korea is already preparing a contingent to fight against Ukraine,
Sending troops to Russia’s illegal war of aggression in Ukraine is a significant security threat not only to our country but also to the international community,
We would consider supplying weapons for defensive purposes as part of the step-by-step scenarios, and if it seems they are going too far, we might also consider offensive use,
As for the so-called military cooperation with Russia, my delegation does not feel any need for comment on such groundless, stereotyped rumours,
Following the deployment of North Korean combat troops, the government will implement phased countermeasures,
If true, this marks a dangerous and highly concerning development and an obvious deepening of the DPRK-Russia military relationship,
We have seen reports the DPRK has sent forces and is preparing to send additional soldiers to Ukraine to fight alongside Russia,
I think they are using this [claim the intelligence isn’t verified] as an excuse not to do anything,
Regretfully, we are lagging again, being reactive, but I believe in our joint capacity to make all the necessary proactive steps to turn President Macron’s ideas into action,
It’s important to have this at least as an option,