North Korea Allegedly Sends Additional Troops to Support Russia

Recent reports from South Korea indicate that North Korea has dispatched at least 3,000 additional soldiers to aid Russia in its ongoing conflict in Ukraine. According to statements from the South Korean military, this troop deployment appears to have occurred in January and February of this year.

This follows a substantial previous deployment, where North Korea sent approximately 11,000 soldiers to the Russian region near Kursk last autumn. The South Korean intelligence community had speculated about a second wave of troop mobilization from North Korea as early as February, though the exact details of these recent movements are still being assessed.

Experts suggest that the rationale behind North Korea's reinforcement could be attributed to significant losses sustained by its forces in the conflict, with estimates indicating that the North Korean military has already faced around 4,000 casualties in the Ukraine war. It remains uncertain whether this figure includes both fatalities and injuries.

In addition to troop deployments, North Korea is reportedly continuing to supply Russia with substantial quantities of ammunition and weaponry. This includes short-range missiles, self-propelled artillery, and rocket launchers, as per the South Korean military's assessment.

The evolving military support from North Korea could signify a new phase in the ongoing hostilities, raising concerns about the potential intensification of the conflict.