North Korean soldiers are likely dying for Putin in Ukraine, Seoul says

Russia and North Korea have deepened ties, culminating in a defense pact signed between the two countries in June. | Gavrill Grigorov/Pool/Sputnik/AFP via Getty Images

North Korea is likely sending its soldiers to fight and die in Ukraine alongside Russian troops, Seoul’s defense minister, Kim Yong-hyun, said Tuesday.

"As Russia and North Korea have signed a mutual treaty akin to a military alliance, the possibility of such a deployment is highly likely," South Korea's defense chief told the country's parliament, adding that more of Pyongyang's soldiers are likely to be deployed.

“The relations between Russia and North Korea are evolving to be almost as close as a military alliance,” he said. “As such, more North Korean troops could be deployed in the war, from how we look at it.”