South Korea's foreign minister says Russia engaging in illegal arms trade with North Korea

World leaders take part in the 79th annual U.N. General Assembly high-level debate

SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korea's Foreign Minister said Russia is engaging in illegal arms trade with North Korea, reiterating statements by the United States, Ukraine and independent analysts that Pyongyang is supplying rockets and missiles in return for economic and other military assistance from Moscow.

Misuse of Russia's right to veto as a permanent member of the UN Security Council is hindering the UN's efforts to end war, Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul said during the UN General Assembly on Saturday.

(Reporting by Joyce Lee; Editing by Himani Sarkar)