North Korea Deploys Additional Troops to Russia Amid Escalating Conflict

South Korean intelligence reports indicate that North Korea has deployed additional troops to Russia, with some being reassigned to the frontline in the Kursk region. This move signals deeper military cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow amid ongoing hostilities in Ukraine.

South Korea’s National Intelligence Agency (NIS) confirmed that several North Korean soldiers, who were previously withdrawn from active combat, have been redeployed to the frontline in Kursk. Alongside this, intelligence assessments suggest that Pyongyang has sent additional military personnel to Russia, though the exact number remains under review.

Western intelligence agencies previously reported that North Korea dispatched over 10,000 troops to assist Russian forces in 2024. These soldiers played a role in countering Ukraine’s surprise offensive in the border region. However, Ukrainian authorities claimed that heavy casualties forced a temporary withdrawal of North Korean forces earlier this year.