North Korea's new troop deployments to Russia raise concerns
The South Korean military reports on North Korea's plans to send additional troops to Russia, citing numerous casualties as the reason.
North Korea is preparing to deploy more military units to Russia. This information was provided by the South Korean military, which highlights a significant number of casualties among North Korean soldiers.
In mid-January, Seoul reported that at least 300 North Korean soldiers were killed, and about 2,700 were injured during battles in Russia's western Kursk region.
About four months after sending troops to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, North Korea is likely accelerating preparations for reinforcements and troop deployments due to numerous casualties and instances of capture among soldiers, said the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), as quoted by the Polish Press Agency.
This information is confirmed by General Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukrainian military intelligence, who announced that in 2025, North Korea plans to send artillery and missile units to Russia, including short-range ballistic missiles. Authorities in Seoul claim that Kim Jong Un has already sent over 10,000 soldiers to assist Moscow in exchange for technological support in armament and satellite programs.
Possible military actions
According to the latest JCS analysis, North Korea might continue its preparations to launch advanced technology weapons, such as a spy satellite or intercontinental ballistic missile. Although there are no direct indications that such actions are imminent, Pyongyang has already conducted missile tests in January, including a hypersonic missile.
Russia conceals the presence of North Korean soldiers in the Kursk region by falsifying their documents. These soldiers, using Russian-sounding names, are part of the Kremlin's strategy to disguise personnel shortages in the army.
The presence of North Korean troops in Russia symbolizes the political cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow. North Korea hopes to gain access to technologies that could enhance, for example, its nuclear program. As reported by the Polish Press Agency, Pyongyang conducted two missile tests only in January of this year, including a hypersonic missile.
