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South Korea said on Friday (Nov 22) that Russia provided economic support and anti-air missiles to North Korea in exchange for troops to support Moscow's war on Ukraine.

"It has been identified that equipment and anti-aircraft missiles aimed at reinforcing Pyongyang's vulnerable air defence system have been delivered to North Korea," Shin Won-sik, Seoul's top security advisor, told TV broadcaster SBS.

Shin added that North Korea has received "various forms of economic support" and "following the failure (launch) on May 27, Pyongyang has been working on satellite-related technology."

The United States (US) and South Korea have accused Pyongyang of sending more than 10,000 soldiers to help Russia fight Ukraine, with experts saying North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un was eager to gain advanced technology, and battle experience for his troops, in return, a report by the news agency AFP said.

Experts have previously said that in return for the troops, North Korea was likely aiming to acquire military technology, ranging from surveillance satellites to submarines, as well as possible security guarantees from Moscow.

Earlier this year, Kim and Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a strategic partnership treaty in June, during the Kremlin chief's visit.

The partnership obligates both countries to provide military assistance "without delay" in the case of an attack on the other and to cooperate internationally to oppose Western sanctions.

Experts say Pyongyang could be using Ukraine as a means of realigning foreign policy.
North Korea got over a million barrels of oil from Moscow Report
Meanwhile, a report by BBC said early Friday that Russia is estimated to have supplied North Korea with over a million barrels of oil since March this year.

Speaking to the network, experts said British Foreign Secretary David Lammu said that the oil was payment for the weapons and troops Pyongyang has sent Moscow to fuel its war in Ukraine.

These transfers violate UN sanctions, which ban countries from selling oil to North Korea, except in small quantities.