Regarding the information that Ukraine and Western allies confirmed that there is evidence that the DPRK has deployed troops to Russia, KCNA on October 25 quoted North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Kim Jong-gyu as saying that if such an incident had occurred as reported by the world media, it would also be a move in accordance with international law. Mr. Kim did not comment directly on the troop deployment, saying that the issue was handled by the North Korean Ministry of National Defense.

In another statement yesterday, Pyongyang strongly condemned recent military activities by the US and its allies in the Korean Peninsula, according to Reuters. Specifically, the North Korean Foreign Ministry mentioned Australia's participation in an air exercise with the US and South Korea, a joint exercise between the US and Japan, and a deployment of a US aircraft carrier. North Korea said this was a reckless military show that was inconsistent with the current political and military tensions on the Korean Peninsula, and a serious threat to regional security.

On October 24, the Russian State Duma approved the Russia-North Korea comprehensive strategic partnership treaty, which includes a mutual defense clause. Russian President Vladimir Putin did not confirm or deny whether North Korea had sent troops to Russia. Mr. Putin emphasized that the implementation of military assistance activities under the above treaty would be a private matter between Moscow and Pyongyang.

US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said on October 23 that at least 3,000 soldiers from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea have been sent to Russia.

"We assess that since early to mid-October, North Korea has moved at least 3,000 troops into eastern Russia," US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters, according to AFP.

Mr Kirby also said the North Korean soldiers had traveled by train from North Korea to Vladivostok and then to “multiple military training sites in eastern Russia where they were being trained”.