In a recent report provided by South Korea’s intelligence service, it has been estimated that around 4,700 North Korean soldiers have been killed or injured while supporting Russia in the ongoing conflict against Ukraine. This revelation comes shortly after North Korea confirmed the deployment of its combat troops to help Russia reclaim territories in the Kursk region that were lost to Ukrainian advances.
During a confidential parliamentary briefing, the South Korean National Intelligence Service (NIS) informed lawmakers about the extent of North Korean casualties on the battlefield. Of the 4,700 casualties, it was reported that 600 North Korean soldiers had died in the conflict. The intelligence agency further conveyed that approximately 2,000 injured North Korean troops were transported back to their homeland via air or train in the early months of the year. According to reports, the deceased soldiers were cremated in Russia, with their remains later sent back to North Korea.
Back in January, the NIS had indicated about 300 fatalities among North Korean soldiers, with a figure of 2,700 wounded. By the following month, assessments by South Korean military authorities had revised the casualty tally to 4,000. North Korea made headlines recently when Leader Kim Jong Un ordered the dispatch of troops to eliminate what he described as “Ukrainian neo-Nazi occupiers,” intending to assist Russian forces in liberating the Kursk area.
In appreciation, Russian President Vladimir Putin publicly expressed gratitude toward North Korea, assuring that the sacrifices made by North Korean soldiers will not be forgotten. The deployment was stated to be under the joint defense treaty between North Korea and Russia, which mandates mutual aid in case of an attack. Some international actors, like the US and South Korea, allege that North Korea has also been providing substantial conventional weapons to replenish Russian supplies. These countries further speculate that Russia is reciprocating with military and economic support.
Officials from the US, South Korea, and Ukraine have estimated that between 10,000 to 12,000 North Korean troops were deployed to Russia in the previous year, with a further 3,000 sent earlier this year, according to South Korean military sources. In the latest intelligence briefing, the NIS also suggested that in exchange for North Korea’s support, Russia has offered air defense missiles, electronic warfare equipment, drones, and satellite technology to the North Korean regime.
Additionally, the NIS observed the presence of 15,000 North Korean laborers in Russia under bilateral industrial collaboration agreements. This presence reflects a broader aspect of cooperation beyond military assistance. While the NIS claims the value of missiles and artillery provided to Russia by North Korea runs into billions of dollars, there is no evidence of direct monetary compensation being sent back by Russia.