'South Korea Warns: Strong Response if North Korea Doesn't Withdraw Troops from Russia'

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The South Korean government demanded the immediate withdrawal of North Korean troops allegedly deployed in Russia, warning the government "will not stand by." South Korean Deputy National Security Adviser Kim Tae-hyo spoke at a news conference Tuesday afternoon following a National Security Council meeting. "If this illegal cooperation between North Korea and Russia continues the government will not stand by, and it will respond in a firm manner with the international community," he said. Kim also said response measures would be taken in steps but did not specify the measures that may be taken. South Korea's spy agency said Friday it had confirmed that North Korea sent 1,500 special operation forces to Russia this month to support Moscow's war in Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also said his government had intelligence that 10,000 North Korean soldiers were being prepared to join invading Russian forces. Cooperation between North Korea and Russia has flourished over the past two years. The U.S., South Korea and their partners have accused North Korea of supplying conventional arms to Russia in return for economic and military assistance. In June, Kim and Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a pact stipulating mutual military assistance if either country is attacked.