YONHAP]   The secretary general of South Korea's presidential advisory body on unification said Tuesday that North Korea would not engage in dialogue with the United States as long as it is being paid by Russia for its troop deployment and other forms of military cooperation.

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea ratified a major defense treaty with Russia stipulating mutual military aid, the North’s state media reported Tuesday, as the U.S., South Korea and Ukraine say North Korea has sent thousands of troops to Russia to support its war against Ukraine.

North Korea ratified a defense treaty with Russia, state media reported Tuesday, formally deepening military cooperation that has seen Pyongyang send thousands of troops to help Moscow in its war against Ukraine.