South Korean lawmakers have revealed that approximately 600 North Korean troops have been killed while fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine.
The figures come from a briefing by South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS), which estimates that around 15,000 North Korean soldiers have been deployed to support Russia’s war effort.
In exchange for military support and weapons shipments, North Korea is believed to have received technological assistance from Moscow, including help with satellite development, drones, and anti-aircraft missile systems.
“After six months on the battlefield, North Korea’s military has become noticeably more proficient, particularly in the use of advanced weaponry such as drones,” said Lee Seong-kweun, a member of the South Korean National Assembly’s intelligence committee, following the NIS briefing.
Earlier this week, North Korea officially acknowledged for the first time that it had sent troops to support Russian operations in Ukraine.
According to Pyongyang, the deployment was ordered by leader Kim Jong Un and contributed to reclaiming Russian territory previously held by Ukrainian forces.
The unprecedented move marks a deepening of military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, both of which face significant international isolation. The influx of North Korean personnel, artillery, and missile supplies has reportedly given Russia a strategic edge in the contested western Kursk region.
Lee added that the remains of fallen North Korean soldiers were cremated in Kursk before being repatriated to their homeland.
