Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.Gavriil GRIGOROV / POOL / AFPNorth Korea is set to send thousands of troops to aid

South Korean intelligence has found that North Korea has dispatched 12,000 troops including special operation forces to support Russia’s war against Ukraine, news reports said Friday, a development that could bring a third country into the war and intensify a standoff between North Korea and the West.

The National Intelligence Service said more North Korean troops are expected to be sent to Russia soon.

During a meeting in Pyongyang in June, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a pact stipulating mutual military assistance if either country is attacked, in what was considered the two countries’ biggest defense deal since the end of the Cold War.

South Korean intelligence has found that North Korea has dispatched 12,000 troops to support Russia’s war with Ukraine, Yonhap news agency said.

South Korean intelligence has found that North Korea has dispatched 12,000 troops including special operation forces to support Russia’s war against Ukraine, news reports said Friday.

Military ties between North Korea and Russia increase as North Korea sends 3,000 soldiers to help Russia against Ukraine.