North Korean casualties rise as troops bolster Russian forces
According to South Korean intelligence data, more than 4,000 North Korean soldiers fighting alongside Russia in the conflict with Ukraine have been killed or wounded.
The South Korean intelligence service, NIS, reported that the number of North Korean soldiers killed or wounded in the war with Ukraine has exceeded 4,000. Earlier estimates mentioned 3,000 casualties, which accounted for nearly one-quarter of the 11,000 soldiers sent to Russia by the Pyongyang regime.
NIS stated that after a brief withdrawal from the front lines in the Kursk region, North Korea sent an additional 3,000 to 4,000 soldiers to make up for the losses. Li Song Kwun, the vice chairman of the intelligence committee of the South Korean National Assembly, confirmed this information.
South Korean military intelligence, as quoted by the Polish Press Agency, estimated that at the beginning of the year, at least "3,000 soldiers" were sent to Russia. The regime in Pyongyang is attempting to conceal its involvement by recovering the bodies of those killed.
Drastic measures by conscripts
The Ukrainian side suggests that the presence of North Korean soldiers shifted the balance of power in the Kursk region in favor of the Russians. However, according to NIS, the role of Kim Jong Un's forces was not significant, as they were largely used as "cannon fodder."
Some North Koreans eligible for conscription are resorting to extreme measures, injuring themselves to avoid being sent to the front. The authorities are offering gifts and support to the families of the soldiers to prevent social unrest.
Regarding the possibility of North Korea conducting another nuclear test, NIS suggests that the regime is "ready to conduct another test at any moment."
Cooperation between Russia and North Korea
North Korea can rely on support from Russia. A report by the Asan Institute for Policy Studies indicates that despite sanctions and infrastructure limitations, Russia and North Korea will continue pragmatic cooperation. Even amidst talks of ending the war in Ukraine, the cooperation between these countries is likely to endure. Analysts note that Russia, despite the potential conclusion of the conflict, will view Pyongyang as a vital partner.
Russia's strategic goal of strengthening its influence in the Asia-Pacific region aligns with North Korea's ambitions, the report states, as quoted by PAP.
