South Korean lawmakers reported on Wednesday that an estimated 600 North Korean soldiers have died while fighting alongside Russia in Ukraine, according to information from the country’s intelligence agency.
Additionally, North Korea has seen approximately 4,700 casualties during the conflict, encompassing both fatalities and injuries. Despite this, there have been observations of enhanced combat capabilities among some North Korean troops over a period of around six months, attributed to the utilization of modern weaponry like drones.
“Following six months of engagement in the conflict, the North Korean military has displayed a decreased level of incompetence, with a notable advancement in its combat readiness as it familiarizes itself with new armaments like drones,” stated Lee Seong-kweun, a member of the parliamentary intelligence committee, during a press briefing subsequent to a briefing by South Korea’s National Intelligence Service.
A total of about 15,000 North Korean troops have been deployed to fight Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin thanked North Korea for sending troops and promised not to forget their sacrifices. (Sputnik/Mikhail Metzel/Kremlin via Reuters/File Photo)
The two U.S. adversaries have moved significantly closer to each other in recent years.
Lee said the remains of dead North Korean soldiers were cremated in Kursk before being shipped back home.
North Korea is also believed to have sent about 15,000 workers to Russia, according to the lawmakers, citing intelligence assessments.
U.S. President Donald Trump said Saturday he doubts Putin wants to end the war. Just a day before, Trump had said Ukraine and Russia were “very close to a deal.”
Reuters contributed to this report.
