According to the assessment of a nation in the Group of Seven, China is unlikely to be pleased with the alliance between Russia and North Korea, the people said. The upcoming G-20 summit in Rio will be an opportunity to push the issue with Beijing, said the people, without providing more specifics.

North Korean soldiers have engaged in combat operations against Ukraine alongside their Russian allies, South Korea's spy agency said on Wednesday. Seoul's confirmation comes amid growing global criticism as the two countries strengthen military ties,

North Korean troops have begun engaging in combat operations alongside Russian forces, the U.S. State Department said on Tuesday, expressing concern that Russia had turned to North Korea for soldiers to fight in its war with Ukraine.