▲ This Oct. 18, 2024, footage posted on X, formerly Twitter, by the Centre for Strategic Communication and Information Security of Ukraine shows what appears to be North Korean soldiers receiving apparent Russian gear. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

(LEAD) defense chief-NK troops

(LEAD) Defense chief calls N. Korean troops in Russia 'cannon fodder mercenaries'

(ATTN: UPDATES with more remarks in last 5 paras)

By Chae Yun-hwan

SEOUL, Oct. 24 (Yonhap) -- Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun on Thursday called North Korean troops being sent to Russia in an apparent support of its war in Ukraine as "cannon fodder mercenaries," accusing the North's leader Kim Jong-un of selling his army "for an illegal war of aggression."

Kim made the remarks during a parliamentary audit session, a day after the National Intelligence Service told lawmakers around 3,000 North Korean soldiers are believed to have been sent to Russia to support its ongoing war with Ukraine.

"When troops are dispatched overseas, they usually maintain their country's chain of command and proudly conduct activities with their military uniform, insignia and flag," Kim said. "North Korea is being disguised with a Russian uniform and acting under Russian military command without any operational authority."

"They are assessed to be mere cannon fodder mercenaries," he said. "Kim Jong-un has sold his people's army for an illegal war of aggression."

Last week, a Ukrainian government-affiliated organization released video footage of Asian soldiers speaking with a North Korean accent receiving gear at what it described as a training ground in Russia's Far East.

A White House official confirmed Wednesday that North Korea sent at least 3,000 troops to eastern Russia earlier this month, noting they are undergoing training.

Meanwhile, Kim also raised the possibility of North Korea firing an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) on a normal trajectory ahead of next month's U.S. presidential election.

"If they do stage it this time, they could fire it on a normal trajectory as it is their goal to successfully stage a re-entry test, and (we) are keeping in mind such a possibility," Kim said.

North Korea has so far test-fired its ICBMs on a lofted trajectory, sending them to higher altitudes with a reduced horizontal range, compared to a launch on a normal trajectory that maximizes distance.

The defense chief's remarks came a day after the North's state media released photos of Kim Jong-un inspecting apparent ICBMs and hypersonic missiles as he toured "strategic missile bases."

During the inspection, the North's leader renewed his call to bolster the country's war deterrence, state media reported, without specifying when the visits took place.

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