Information
South Korea’s intelligence service has reported that about 2,000 North Korean soldiers fighting for Russia in the war against Ukraine have been killed, according to lawmaker Lee Seong-kweun. This marks a sharp increase from the 600 deaths estimated earlier this year. Western and South Korean intelligence sources say that Pyongyang sent over 10,000 troops to Russia in 2024, primarily stationed in the Kursk region near Ukraine. In addition to manpower, North Korea has supplied Russia with weapons, including artillery shells, missiles, and rocket systems, bolstering Moscow’s ongoing war efforts.
The National Intelligence Service (NIS) also believes North Korea is preparing to dispatch an additional 6,000 troops, with around 1,000 combat engineers already having arrived in Russia. The deployments reportedly began in November 2024, though both Moscow and Pyongyang have kept official details limited. North Korea publicly acknowledged its military involvement only in April, confirming some casualties. In July, leader Kim Jong Un met with families of fallen soldiers to honour their sacrifice, reflecting Pyongyang’s growing role in directly supporting Russia’s war.
Source: BBC, Moscow Times, Reuters
So What
North Korea’s increasing military involvement in Russia’s war against Ukraine underscores Pyongyang’s willingness to accept high casualties for strategic alignment with Moscow. It also highlights North Korea’s growing role as a key supplier of both manpower and munitions. The reported death toll of 2,000 soldiers, with thousands more potentially on the way, indicates that North Korea views the conflict as an opportunity to strengthen its ties with Russia while testing the limits of international response. This trend raises concerns about the expansion of the war’s scope as it draws in external actors more directly. It also emphasizes the likelihood of sustained North Korean support, which could prolong hostilities and complicate Western deterrence efforts.
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