The two countries have vowed to expand bilateral relations after North Korea sent troops and weapons in support of Russia’s war against Ukraine.

The assessment came two days after North Korea confirmed for the first time that it had sent combat troops to help Russia recapture parts of the Kursk region.

Propaganda videos showing North Korean troops may signal that Pyongyang is preparing to send forces directly into Ukraine, military expert Oleksandr Popovych said. “I am very afraid that this is a prelude to the North Koreans taking part in the war directly on Ukrainian territory,