Ukraine’s Zelensky says up to 50,000 North Korean troops to be deployed in Russia

SEOUL: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has ‌said up to 50,000 North Korean soldiers will be deployed in Russia to fight for Pyongyang’s ally, while calling on South Korea to provide support for ​its air defense.

Zelensky said on X on Saturday that “a decision has been made for 30,000 to 50,000 North Koreans to be deployed on the territory of Russia,” a higher figure than his estimate of 30,000 in July. He did not elaborate on how he obtained the information.

He said Kyiv had found some North Korean missiles in Ukraine’s territory, without disclosing their locations.

“It is absolutely clear ‌that North Korea ‌will continue to build its experience in ​modern ‌warfare, ⁠receive ​licenses from Russia, ⁠and receive all kinds of military tools from them,” he said.