North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un has reportedly dispatched over 2,000 troops to support Russian forces in the conflict against Ukraine. This revelation coincided with Kim’s visit to Beijing for an ‘anti-NATO’ meeting with Chinese and Russian leaders ahead of a significant parade.
Sources indicate that the North Korean soldiers, mainly stationed in Kursk, suffered significant casualties, with approximately 1,400 reported dead and many more wounded since April. The troops were deployed to aid Russia in repelling a Ukrainian incursion that caught Moscow off guard, prompting a swift redeployment of Kremlin forces.
Recent intelligence from South Korea’s National Intelligence Service suggests that Kim’s regime has sent a total of 10,000 troops to fight in Ukraine, with an additional 6,000 soldiers currently being deployed. The agency estimates that the number of North Korean casualties has risen to around 2,000, a significant increase from earlier figures.
Reports indicate that North Korea has also provided military support to Russia, sending soldiers along with artillery and missile systems to the Kursk region in 2024. However, Russian forces have raised concerns about the quality of some North Korean weaponry, citing malfunctions and defective ammunition.
In a rare acknowledgment, North Korea confirmed its military involvement in the conflict and acknowledged the deaths of its soldiers in combat. Kim Jong-Un reportedly met with families of the fallen soldiers, offering condolences for their loss. Additionally, North Korea has dispatched thousands of workers to assist Russian factories facing labor shortages due to the ongoing war.
The close relationship between Russia and North Korea has intensified following a military agreement signed last year, which includes a mutual defense clause. This growing alliance between the two nations, led by controversial leaders, has raised concerns among international observers.
The bond between North Korea and Russia has strengthened since Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, as Putin faced a shortage of troops on the frontlines. To replenish losses, recruiters have allegedly enlisted prisoners to join the conflict, promising freedom in exchange for their service.