South Korean intelligence: North Korea has sent additional troops to Russia

^{© STR / KCNA VIA KNS/AFP}
North Korea is expanding its involvement in Russia's war against Ukraine. According to the Yonhap news agency, citing South Korean intelligence, the DPRK sent more than 1,000 additional military personnel to Russia in January and February.

These soldiers were sent to supplement the approximately 11,000 North Korean troops already deployed. According to intelligence, since the first week of February, North Korean troops have been deployed to the front line in the Kursk region.

Lossages and combat activity

According to South Korean intelligence estimates, about 300 North Korean soldiers were killed and 2,700 wounded during the fighting in the Kursk region.

North Korea is currently reported to be preparing to send more troops to Russia.

In addition, in mid-January, the Ukrainian army captured two North Korean soldiers in the Kursk region. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky released a video of their interrogation on January 12. During the interrogation, the North Korean soldiers claimed that they were unaware of their location and that they were being told this was only a training exercise.

Cooperation between Russia and the DPRK

In June 2024, Russian President Vladimir Putin visited North Korea and signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Kim Jong-un. The agreement envisages strengthening military cooperation between Russia and the DPRK, countering Western sanctions and supporting each other in the event of an attack.

According to Western intelligence, about 4,000 North Korean soldiers were killed or wounded in the Kursk region. This means that about a third of the DPRK troops in Ukraine have been lost.

According to the Ukrainian military, North Korean soldiers are using outdated military tactics. They rely on infantry attacks, making them easy targets for Ukrainian drones and artillery.

Also, due to language problems, North Korean soldiers have not been able to establish effective cooperation with Russian troops and have even accidentally attacked Russian positions.

North Korea has already announced its readiness to send up to 100,000 troops to Moscow.

South Korean intelligence and Western sources are closely monitoring this process. Follow “Zamin” news on “Telegram”