South Korea’s Yoon discusses North Korean troops in Russia with Trump

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol discussed the presence of North Korean troops in Russia with US President-elect Donald Trump in a phone conversation

Yoon discussed his growing concern about Kim Jong Un's deepening military cooperation with Moscow.

According to the media reports, Yoon said on Thursday (Nov 7) in a press conference that Trump raised the topic in the first 12 minutes of the call during which the two discussed various issues, such as intercontinental ballistic missiles being developed by Pyongyang.

It was not clear what Trump said about the issue during the call.

Claiming that he can build a strong relationship with the Republican, Yoon said, “We will strongly protect our freedom and peace by establishing a perfect South Korea-US security posture with the new administration in Washington," Bloomberg reported.

At the same time, the South Korean president added that he would work to minimise any potential impact of the Trump administration on South Korea's economy.

In his election campaign, Trump promised to end the Russia-Ukraine war "within 24 hours" by making the two countries negotiate.

Trump's relationship with Kim Jon Un

Donald Trump and NorthKorean leader Kim Jong Un traded insults and threats during his first presidency over Pyongyang's weapons programs, although they met three times, and Trump once quipped, "We fell in love" after exchanging letters.

But even with the three summits they held, Trump failed to persuade Kim to give up his nuclear weapons, while diplomatic efforts under the Biden administration also stalled with the North ignoring a call to meet "anywhere, anytime without preconditions".

The relationship is likely to come under fresh focus as Trump returns to the White House and NorthKoreatakes unprecedented steps to help Russia in the Ukraine war.

(With inputs from agencies)