North Korea has already been engaged in mine-laying this year within the Demilitarized Zone, a 160-mile buffer area along both sides of the border, despite a series of accidents. In July, South Korean officials reported that at least 10 had occurred so far, resulting in multiple deaths.

U KRAINE’S PRESIDENT, Volodymyr Zelensky, declared last week that North Korea is sending troops to Russia, in effect joining the invasion as a co-combatant. The appearance of one of the world’s most erratic and heavily-armed nations in the fight might test the best resourced and well-rested defences.

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin told journalists in Rome on Wednesday that the Pentagon has evidence that North Korean troops have been deployed in Russia, but what they are doing there is still unknown,