The South Korean military believes the North Korean troops supporting Russia’s armed aggression against Ukraine are engaging in combat as part of the Russian military.

At a meeting of the National Assembly’s National Defense Committee on Thursday, ruling People Power Party Rep. Yu Yong-weon referred to recent intelligence indicating that a small North Korean platoon has been assigned to every Russian company.

Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun confirmed that, saying the purpose is to emphasize that the Russian military is leading the war and to dispatch North Koreans to the most dangerous battlegrounds under the harshest conditions as “cannon fodder.”

While maintaining that South Korea needs to send a military inspection team to Ukraine, the minister said the military is not leading that discussion, suggesting that the government is reviewing the matter.

The minister also remained cautious about whether Seoul will provide weapons to Ukraine, saying it will address the issue in solidarity with the international community.