Around 3,500 additional North Korean soldiers have been deployed to various regions of Russia’s Far East for training, and Pyongyang may send a third combat contingent to support Moscow in the war against Kyiv, according to South Korean ruling party lawmaker Yu Yong-weon on Wednesday.
Yu, who recently visited Ukraine, cited a report from the head of Ukraine’s Main Directorate of Intelligence.
“Currently, about 3,500 North Korean soldiers are undergoing adaptation training at five locations in Russia’s Far East, and there is a possibility of a third deployment,” he stated in a press release.
In recent months, Pyongyang has already dispatched troops in two phases: the first in October last year, involving around 11,000 soldiers, and the second between January and February, consisting of 1,500 personnel. According to Yu, the second group has already completed its training and has been deployed to the front lines in Kursk.
As of February 26, Ukrainian intelligence estimates that around 400 North Korean soldiers have been killed in combat and approximately 3,600 have been wounded.
The intelligence report also indicates that the primary goal of these deployments is to provide North Korean troops with real combat experience.
During his interview with North Korean prisoners of war captured by Ukraine, Yu spoke with one detainee identified as Ri, who confirmed his intention to defect. Ri also described the heavy casualties suffered by his fellow soldiers, stating that his unit was the last one standing after the previous ones were wiped out.
Another prisoner, Baek, claimed that many soldiers choose suicide over surrender, as they consider capture a betrayal of their country.
The deployment of troops and military equipment is part of the strategic partnership agreement signed between Kim Jong-un and Vladimir Putin in June 2024. This pact has facilitated the supply of North Korean weapons to Russia and the gradual incorporation of Pyongyang’s forces into the war in Ukraine.
As part of this agreement, North Korea has sent Russia tens of thousands of containers filled with artillery, missiles, and other conventional weapons used in the war, in addition to beginning troop deployments last October.
