N. Korean delegation left for Moscow on Tuesday ahead of 80th Victory Day

In other news.

A North Korean military delegation has departed for Mowscow ahead of Russia's Victory Day in May.

Earlier, the regime has made public Putin thanking Pyongyang for sending troops to help Russia amid their ever-growing military alliance.

Kim Bo-kyoung explains.

Ahead of Russia's 80th Victory Day celebrations on May 9th, North Korea's military delegation has left for Moscow to attend an international event.

According to the North's state-run Korea Central News Agency on Tuesday, the delegation led by the deputy director of the General Political Bureau of the North's Korean People's Army, departed Pyongyang.

Though the North's media said the visit was for an international anti-fascist conference, speculation has risen over the possibility of the delegation visiting Moscow to discuss Russia's Victory Day parade, or North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's potential visit to Russia around that time.

"Instead of attending Russia's Victory Day ceremony, the focus is likely to be on a potential North Korea-Russia summit, with Kim Jong-un's visit to Russia expected to happen around that time. Rather than participating as just another leader in a multilateral setting, Kim is likely to focus on a one-on-one meeting, where his alliance with Russia and contributions to its war effort could be more highlighted."

The North's Rodong Sinmun newspaper published Putin's recent statement thanking Pyongyang on its front page.

This, came a day after North Korea officially confirmed its troop deployment to Russia.

Putin's statement said that the deployment was in accordance with international laws, along with the comprehensive strategic partnership treaty which Kim and Putin signed in June last year.

While expressing HIS deepest gratitude to North Korea, Putin claimed Russia would forever remember the heroes of Korea who sacrificed their lives for Russia and for their shared freedom.

Meanwhile, as both Pyongyang and Moscow have now admitted the deployment of North Korean troops, Ukraine urged tougher sanctions on them on Monday local time.

Ukraine's foreign ministry said the deployment is in violation of international laws and UN Security Council resolutions,

and stressed that the deepening military cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow would pose a threat not only to the Korean peninsula but also to global security.

Kim Bo-kyoung, Arirang News.