G7+ South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand "serious concerns over the possibility of North Korean troops participating in the war"

Foreign ministers of the three major allies -- the G7, the Group of Seven and South Korea -- issued a joint statement on the 5th local time, saying they were seriously concerned about the North Korean military's possible participation in the war in Ukraine.

"North Korea's direct support of Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine, in addition to demonstrating Moscow's desperate efforts to offset losses, would mean a dangerous expansion of the conflict," the ministers said in the joint statement, according to Reuters.

He also condemned the strengthening of military cooperation between Russia and North Korea in the strongest terms.

They are also deeply concerned about the possibility of nuclear or ballistic missile-related technology being transferred to North Korea and added that they would "work with international partners to coordinate a response to this new development."

The joint statement was signed by Korea, Australia and New Zealand, in addition to the United States, Japan, Italy, the United Kingdom, Germany, France and Canada, which are members of the G7.