The foreign ministry called in the top Russian envoy to South Korea on Monday to express regret over North Korea’s deployment of its soldiers to fight Russia’s war in Ukraine.

First Vice Foreign Minister Kim Hong-kyun delivered the government’s position during a meeting with Russian Ambassador Georgy Zinoviev, according to officials.

Zinoviev told Yonhap News that he had met with Kim as he was leaving the ministry, but declined to answer further questions.

South Korea’s spy agency confirmed last week that the North sent 1,500 soldiers to Russia’s Far East earlier this month to fight in Russia’s war in Ukraine and is preparing to send more troops.

Source: Yonhap News Agency