North Korean troops bolster Russian front amid heavy losses
More than 4,000 North Korean soldiers fighting alongside Russia against Ukraine have been killed or injured. This information was provided by the South Korean intelligence service, the NIS, as reported by the "Korea Herald."
What do you need to know?
- Number of casualties: Over 4,000 North Korean soldiers fighting alongside Russia against Ukraine have been killed or injured, according to the South Korean intelligence service, NIS.
- Additional forces: After briefly pulling troops from the front line in February, North Korea sent an additional 3,000 to 4,000 soldiers to compensate for the losses.
- Concealing involvement: The regime in Pyongyang is attempting to hide its involvement in the war by reclaiming the bodies of fallen soldiers.
What are the effects of North Korea's involvement in the war?
According to data from the South Korean intelligence service, NIS, the number of North Korean soldiers killed or injured in the conflict with Ukraine has exceeded 4,000. In January, estimates suggested around 3,000 casualties, nearly a quarter of the 11,000 soldiers deployed to Russia by the Pyongyang regime.
North Korean authorities, after briefly withdrawing from the front line in the Kursk region of western Russia, sent an additional 3,000 to 4,000 soldiers to offset the losses. This information was reported by the "Korea Herald," quoting Li Song Kwun, vice-chairman of the intelligence committee of the National Assembly from South Korea's ruling People Power Party.
Why does North Korea conceal its involvement?
The regime in Pyongyang is attempting to obscure its involvement in the war by recovering the bodies of fallen soldiers. Although Ukrainian authorities claim that the presence of North Korean troops is tipping the scales in Russia's favour, the NIS believes their contribution is not significant. North Korean soldiers are used as "cannon fodder" and have not played a decisive role in Russia's recent gains in the region.
Additionally, some North Koreans of conscription age are resorting to drastic measures, injuring themselves to avoid service. The authorities offer gifts and support to the families of deployed soldiers to quell social unrest. Li Song Kwun from NIS emphasised that North Korea is prepared to conduct another nuclear weapon test at any moment.
