Vice Defense Minister Kim Seon-ho / Yonhap

Vice Defense Minister Kim Seon-ho condemned on Thursday North Korea's deployment of troops in support of Russia in its war with Ukraine, expressing concerns that the North will likely use the technology and funds it receives in return to advance its nuclear and missile weapons.

Kim made the remark as he delivered a speech during the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting (ADMM)-Plus under way in Laos, attended by defense chiefs of 10 ASEAN countries and eight others, including the United States, China and Japan, according to Seoul's defense ministry.

"The deployment of North Korean troops is collusion with Russia's illegal invasion and an action that goes against humanity and peace by using young people as cannon fodder mercenaries," Kim said.

South Korea and the U.S. have said North Korean troops deployed to Russia are engaging in combat against Ukrainian forces in Russia's western border region of Kursk.

Raising concerns over the North using what it receives from Russia in return, Kim called for the immediate withdrawal of North Korean troops and international solidarity against deepening military cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow.

In the meeting, Kim noted how South Korea and ASEAN have elevated their relations to a "comprehensive strategic partnership" this year and vowed to expand their cooperation in areas of maritime security, arms industry and peacekeeping operations.

ADMM-Plus opened its inaugural session in 2010 to enhance defense cooperation between ASEAN members and other regional states and has been held annually since 2018.

ASEAN comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore and Vietnam. (Yonhap)