The National Intelligence Service (NIS) is participating in the North Korean military battle.Kursk deployment"

[Anchor]
North Korean troops sent to Russia are participating in the fighting, the National Intelligence Service says.

Following the U.S., the South Korean government officially confirmed the start of the North Korean military's participation in the war, and attention is being paid to whether there will be any change in the way the South Korean government supports Ukraine.

I'm reporter Lee Jong Won.

[Reporter]
The National Intelligence Service said it is evaluating that North Korean troops sent to Russia are already participating in the battle.

Less than a day after the U.S. State Department said it had confirmed that North Korean soldiers who had traveled to Kursk, Russia, had begun to participate in the battle against Ukrainian forces, the South Korean government also officially announced the start of the North Korean military's participation.

The National Intelligence Service has reportedly been closely monitoring the trend since after finding out that the North Korean military has moved to the Kursk region and completed deployment to the battlefield over the past two weeks.

He also explained that he is collecting and analyzing additional information and information.

Following Russian President Putin, shortly after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un completed the ratification process of the North Korea-Russia Treaty, which stipulated support in the event of war on the 11th, participation in the battle seems to have begun in earnest.

As a result, some analysts say that the two sides have already completed the exchange of ratifications and that the North Korea-Russia Treaty may have taken effect.

Until just before the official announcement of the NIS, the South Korean government has been cautious about whether the North Korean military will participate in the battle.

Until the morning of the official confirmation by the U.S. State Department, the Defense Department only stated that it was closely monitoring the actual possibility in mind.

As the North Korean military's participation in the war has been confirmed, attention is being paid to whether there will be any changes in the way the South Korean government responds, including its arms support to Ukraine.

Earlier, an official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, "We will take necessary measures with the international community step by step in accordance with the progress of military cooperation between North Korea and Russia."

I'm YTN's Lee Jong Won.



Video editing: Jeon Ju-young