North Korea has reportedly deployed additional troops to fight alongside Russian forces in Ukraine after suffering significant casualties in the conflict, according to South Korean intelligence sources.
In a move that strengthens the growing alliance between North Korea’s Kim Jong-un and Russia’s Vladimir Putin, North Korea sent as many as 12,000 soldiers to Russia in 2024. This follows the first deployment of troops, many of whom were either killed or injured in the Kursk region after Ukraine launched an unexpected offensive in August 2024.
South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) confirmed this week that additional North Korean forces have been sent to the frontlines. Between January and February 2025, reports indicate that 1,000 to 3,000 more soldiers were sent to reinforce Russian positions in the Kursk area, where North Korean forces were seen resuming combat operations after a temporary withdrawal.
Despite being known for their strict discipline, North Korean soldiers are facing challenges in adapting to Ukraine’s advanced warfare tactics, particularly drone combat. Experts highlight that the lack of combat experience and unfamiliarity with modern military technology is hindering their effectiveness on the battlefield.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the presence of North Korean troops in Kursk in early February, stating that they were once again participating in operations alongside Russian troops.
The involvement of North Korean forces in the war comes as part of a deeper defense agreement between Kim Jong-un and Vladimir Putin, which was solidified in November 2024. This agreement outlines mutual military support in the event of an attack on either country, further strengthening ties between the two nations, both of which face Western sanctions.
The deployment has raised concerns in the West about potential military technology transfers between Russia and North Korea. This collaboration could significantly enhance North Korea’s nuclear weapons program, which Kim Jong-un has promised to advance.