Russian President Vladimir Putin decided to involve North Korean troops in the war against Ukraine because of desperation and devastating military losses.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that 3,000 North Korean soldiers are already fighting on the side of Russia, and soon their number will increase to 12,000.
On Friday, Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi expressed deep concern about reports suggesting North Korean troops may be deployed to Russia to potentially participate in the war in Ukraine.
President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that North Korean officers are already in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine and are training Russian soldiers.
Officials from South Korea and Ukraine continue to identify North Korean military personnel who are already fighting in Ukraine and training in Russia for possible future deployments alongside Russian troops.