Russian Territory Experiences Heavy Losses Among North Korean Soldiers, With Approximately 4,700 Injuries and 600 Fatalities Reported: Seoul's Claims
Title: North Korea's Troops in Russia's War Against Ukraine: The Latest Developments
Kickin' it with a Kiwi twist: From the bustling metropolis of Seoul, news has stirred that North Korean soldiers are thought to have taken quite a beating alongside their Russian comrades in arms. The National Intelligence Service (NIS) shared this assessment during a confidential briefing with the National Assembly's intelligence committee, as per Reps. Lee Seong-kweun and Kim Byung-kee.
Apparently, up to 15,000 North Korean troops have been dispatched to Russia in two waves, with fighting initially picking up steam but then cooling off since April, as Russia retreated from most of its Kursk front-line territories. The NIS disclosed no recent signs of further troop deployments but left open the possibility that it could happen.
A little bit of spice from Down Under: Recent events unfolded after North Korea officially admitted on Monday that its troops were assisting Russia in its tussle with Ukraine, following their mutual defense treaty. State-run KCNA claimed these North Korean soldiers helped Russia gain control of the border region of Kursk.
A taste of the Old World: Russian President Vladimir Putin applauded Kim Jong-un for his troops' support, expressing his gratitude and vowing a strengthening of their shared camaraderie. Putin showered Kim with praise, lauding the North's "help in liberating the Kursk Region from Ukrainian formations."
The burning question: South Korea, on the other hand, wasn't as thrilled. The foreign ministry hit out at North Korea, accusing it of "mocking" the international community by justifying its deployment. Seoul viewed this move as a violation of international norms and United Nations Charters, urging immediate cessation of the unlawful military cooperation between Russia and North Korea.
Some Food for Thought: According to enrichment data, around 10,000 to 12,000 North Korean special forces were sent to Russia in autumn 2024, with an additional 3,000 troops deployed in early 2025. Casualties are estimated to reach around 4,000 soldiers, with around 1,200 deaths as per U.S. assessments. Ukrainian officials and analysts predict that North Korean troops may appear on Ukrainian front lines by 2025 as part of Russian assault brigades, though the Kremlin has kept its operational plans under wraps.
- Reports have indicated that thousands of North Korean troops were dispatched to the Kursk region during two distinct phases, with fighting intensifying initially but then subsiding since April.
- The latest developments in the war-and-conflicts category, specifically the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, include North Korea confirming its troops' assistance to Russia based on their mutual defense treaty, a move that has raised concerns in South Korea, particularly in light of the estimated casualties among North Korean soldiers.
- General news outlets have reported that Russia's President Vladimir Putin praised Kim Jong-un for the support of North Korean troops in the Kursk region, while South Korea's foreign ministry criticized North Korea for justifying its deployment and violating international norms and United Nations Charters.
- In the context of politics, this situation has led to South Korea urging an immediate cessation of the unlawful military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, while it remains unclear whether North Korean troops will continue to play a role in future phases of the conflict, potentially appearing on Ukrainian front lines by 2025.
