Category North Korea

Fake: China Refused Ukraine a $30.8 Billion Debt Deferral

Russian propaganda outlets and anonymous Telegram channels are claiming that China refused Ukraine a deferral on debt repayment amounting to $30.8 billion. [...] Yet the information spread in these publications is fake, as indicated by numerous factors. [...] No credible media outlet - Ukrainian, Chinese, or Western - has reported on a debt of $30.8 billion, a diplomatic approach by Zelensky to Beijing requesting a deferral, or a refusal by the Chinese side.

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Trump falsely inflates number of US troops in S.Korea

President Donald Trump lashed out at NATO and other allies for not supporting the United States in its war against Iran before both countries agreed to a two-week ceasefire in April 2026. Criticising South Korea for supposedly not doing enough despite receiving US military support, Trump claimed 45,000 American soldiers are stationed in the Asian nation. But a review of US legislation and defence data found the number is around 28,500, lower than Trump's figure.

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FACT CHECK: Kim Jong Un And Vladimir Putin Video Edited To Show The Two Refusing To Drink From Glasses After Toasting | Check Your Fact

The caption reads, "When Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong UN met and none of them was willing to drink first."

The claim is inaccurate. The video has been edited to remove the moment that they drink. The full video shows that they did drink. The video shows the two toasted each other and then the other people at the table and then were clearly seen drinking.

Read MoreFACT CHECK: Kim Jong Un And Vladimir Putin Video Edited To Show The Two Refusing To Drink From Glasses After Toasting | Check Your Fact

FACT CHECK: Is Vladimir Putin Using Drones And Ammunition From Iran And North Korea? | Check Your Fact

Verdict: True
Putin is using attack drones from Iran. While it has not been definitively proven that North Korea is supplying ammunition to Russia, experts and media outlets have said it is likely happening.

Read MoreFACT CHECK: Is Vladimir Putin Using Drones And Ammunition From Iran And North Korea? | Check Your Fact

Image shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visiting Russia in 2019, not 2022

An image of Kim Jong Un has been shared repeatedly in posts that claim the North Korean leader visited Moscow as Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered a speech in September 2022. Some posts written in Korean also claim South Korean media ignored Kim's visit. But the claim -- which circulated as Russia pushed on with its war in neighbouring Ukraine -- is false. The posts show Kim's visit to the Russian port city of Vladivostok in April 2019 for a summit with Putin.

Read MoreImage shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visiting Russia in 2019, not 2022

Social media posts overplay North Korea’s support for Russian invasion of Ukraine, analysts say

Social media posts claim North Korea has decided to send troops to Ukraine to support Russia, citing a report by Russian state media. However, the report makes no mention of North Korea sending troops to Ukraine. There have been no official reports or statements to support the claim, as of April 26. North Korean experts told AFP it was "highly unlikely" that Pyongyang would deploy troops to Ukraine.

Read MoreSocial media posts overplay North Korea’s support for Russian invasion of Ukraine, analysts say