Seoul
South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) confirmed that North Korea has increased its exports of weapons to Russia, including howitzers and multiple rocket launchers, amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. The revelation came during a briefing to South Korea’s parliamentary intelligence committee on Wednesday.
The NIS also reported that around 11,000 North Korean soldiers, who were initially deployed to Russia for training, have been sent to the front lines of the Ukraine war. These troops were stationed in Russia’s northeastern regions for acclimation and were relocated to the Kursk area in late October. There, they received tactical and counter-drone training. Some of these soldiers have already participated in combat alongside Russian Airborne Brigade and Marine units. The NIS warned that with North Korean troops now engaged in front-line operations, casualties are likely, though details on their specific role and losses are still under assessment.
In addition, the NIS revealed that North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui held discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin and other top Russian officials, including Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, during a visit to Russia earlier this month. These talks, held amid growing tensions surrounding the North’s military support for Russia, suggest that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un may also visit Russia soon.
This confirmation of North Korea’s involvement in the Ukrainian conflict comes as concerns grow about the growing military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, as well as the potential expansion of this alliance.
