South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) has confirmed that North Korean troops deployed alongside Russian forces in the war against Ukraine have withdrawn from the frontline after sustaining significant losses. This development has raised questions about North Korea’s involvement in the conflict and its future role.
Deployment of North Korean Troops to Russia
In late 2024, North Korea reportedly sent approximately 11,000 troops to the Russian Kursk region as part of a mutual defense pact between Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The pact aimed to strengthen their alliance against what they termed “US-led Western hegemony.”
Severe Losses on the Frontline
The deployment has proven costly. According to South Korean intelligence, around 300 North Korean soldiers have been killed, and 2,700 have been wounded. Captured footage posted by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in January showed two North Korean soldiers, one of whom claimed he was on a “training exercise.”
South Korean intelligence also reported that notes found on deceased North Korean soldiers indicated orders to commit suicide rather than be captured.
Unprepared for Harsh Warfare
North Korean troops were reportedly inexperienced and ill-prepared for the brutal realities of combat in Ukraine. The unfamiliar terrain and relentless Ukrainian drone attacks made them particularly vulnerable.
Despite the initial fear that North Korean involvement could escalate the conflict, Ukraine’s surprise offensive in Kursk in August 2024 inflicted severe casualties on the North Korean forces.
Russia’s “War of Attrition” Takes Its Toll
Seth Jones from the Center for Strategic and International Studies estimated that up to 50% of the deployed North Korean forces had been killed or injured. “Those are staggering casualties for a force of 11,000 to 12,000,” he said.
North Korea’s Motive and Future Role
In exchange for its support, North Korea reportedly sought sophisticated Russian satellite technology and foreign currency to bolster its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. While North Korea has not officially acknowledged its role in the war, its apparent withdrawal from Kursk suggests a reassessment of its involvement.