In recent developments, it appears that North Korea has increased the deployment of its troops to Russia, particularly after experiencing significant casualties on the Russian-Ukrainian fronts. This insight comes from South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS), which is currently in the process of determining the exact number of additional North Korean troops now stationed in Russia.
Initial reports have suggested that North Korean forces were repositioned in Russia’s Kursk region during the first week of February. This comes after their previous temporary withdrawal from the area. In early February, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed an uptick in Ukrainian offensives in Kursk and noted that North Korean soldiers were actively participating alongside Russian troops.
North Korea’s support for Russia extends beyond manpower. The nation has been a significant supplier of conventional arms to Russia and sent between 10,000 to 12,000 soldiers last fall, per intelligence sources from the United States, South Korea, and Ukraine. Although these troops are noted for their discipline and training, they are at a disadvantage on the battlefield due to their lack of familiarity with the environment and real combat experience, making them vulnerable to modern warfare tactics like drone and artillery strikes.
Back in January, the NIS reported that approximately 300 North Korean soldiers had lost their lives, with another 2,700 sustaining injuries. President Zelensky had put the toll of North Korean casualties higher, estimating around 4,000 dead or wounded, while the U.S. provided a more conservative estimate of approximately 1,200.
Further information from local sources in South Korea suggests that between January and February, an additional 1,000 to 3,000 North Korean troops were sent to the Kursk region. The growing military involvement of North Korea has raised concerns among U.S. and South Korean officials, particularly over the potential military cooperation between North Korea and Russia. They fear that North Korea could receive advanced weaponry or nuclear technology in exchange for its support, potentially enhancing its nuclear weapons program. Further economic aid and assistance from Russia to North Korea also remain on the table.
In a broader international context, recent meetings between officials from the U.S. and Russia held in Saudi Arabia focused on ending hostilities and mending diplomatic and economic relations. Notably, Ukrainian representatives were absent from these discussions. This marks a significant shift in U.S. diplomacy under President Donald Trump, deviating from previous strategies aimed at isolating Russia over its actions in Ukraine.
Looking forward, analysts suggest that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un might see the opportunity to provide even more soldiers to Russia as a mechanism to secure greater support from Russia before the conflict reaches a conclusion.
