North Korean soldiers were sent to war, not exercises

North Korean soldiers ended up in the war against Ukraine, believing they were being sent to exercises — statement by South Korea's UN ambassador

South Korea's UN Ambassador Hwang Joon-ku stated that North Korean soldiers were deceived into fighting against Ukraine, having been led to believe they were heading to military exercises. 

According to the diplomat, Russia and North Korea continue to deny the fact of North Korean military participation in the conflict, asserting that their cooperation fully complies with international law.

"Russia and North Korea, as before, refuse to acknowledge the dispatch of North Korean soldiers, claiming that their interaction allegedly does not violate international obligations," Hwang Joon-ku emphasised.

This statement raises serious questions about the nature of cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang, as well as the extent of North Korea's involvement in the armed conflict.