North Korea 'plots' extra support for Russia by 'sending thousands of troops'

North Korea could be plotting to further support by sending even more troops into battle, it emerged last night.

Fears of an escalation beyond 12,000 known soldiers arriving in emerged as Pyongyang sent its top diplomat to Russia. A delegation led by Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui headed for Russia this week on a mystery visit, sparking alarm about how many North Koreans will go to .

In a closed-door hearing at South Korea's parliament, the South's spy agency said Choe may be involved in arranging for more troops being sent to Russia. It could also mean the North is negotiating what it will get in return, according to Lee Seong-kweun, a lawmaker who attended the meeting.

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Sources told the Russia could be exchanging information relating to North Korea’s various weapons programmes or its space technology. The North has already deployed 12,000 troops to Russia, including 500 officers and five very senior generals, as revealed exclusively by .

They are expected to be heading for the frontline in Kursk, Russia and Donestk in eastern Ukraine, many of them within days. North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency said the announcement of Choe's visit came hours after the Pentagon said North Korea has sent thousands of troops to Russia.

Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh told reporters some of the North Korean soldiers have already moved closer to Ukraine and were believed to be heading for the Kursk border region. It is there that Russia is battling to push back a Ukrainian incursion.

South Korea's National Intelligence Service has confirmed the two sides are struggling to resolve communication issues although the Russian military is training North Korean troops on Russian military terminology. The agency said space-based reconnaissance is an area where North Korea is likely receiving Russian help.

It said North Korea may be acquiring advanced components from Russia as it prepares to launch another military reconnaissance satellite following a failed attempt in May, said Park Sun-won, another lawmaker who attended the hearing. North Korea first placed a spy satellite in orbit last November.

Its leader has described those assets as crucial for monitoring South Korean and US military activities and enhancing the threat of his nuclear-capable missiles. In a telephone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said deepening military cooperation between North Korea and Russia could pose a "major security threat" to Seoul if the North gains access to Russian technology.

After initially denying the claims about North Korean troop deployments, Pyongyang and Moscow claim their military cooperation conforms with international law. North Korea has also been accused of providing millions of artillery shells and other military equipment to Russia to fuel its war in Ukraine.

The United States and its partners have described Russia's procurement of North Korean personnel and supplies as a violation of UN Security Council resolutions. It has also accused Moscow of helping Pyongyang to evade sanctions and unlawfully finance its weapons program.