The Evolution of North Korean Troops in Kursk A Shift Since Mid-January

The Evolution of North Korean Troops in Kursk A Shift Since Mid-January

SEOUL — North Korean soldiers who were previously fighting alongside Russian forces on the Kursk front line have not engaged in combat since mid-January, according to South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS).

This development follows Ukraine's claim that the North Korean troops had been withdrawn from the conflict after suffering significant losses. The NIS statement noted that while it is unclear why the North Korean troops ceased combat operations, one possible reason could be the occurrence of many casualties.

The deployment of North Korean troops to support Russian forces fighting in Kursk was first reported by Western, South Korean, and Ukrainian intelligence agencies in August. It was estimated that more than 10,000 North Korean soldiers were deployed to the region. However, neither Pyongyang nor Moscow has officially confirmed the troop deployment.

In November, Ukraine launched a surprise cross-border offensive into Russian territory, capturing dozens of border settlements. This marked the first time a foreign army had crossed into Russian territory since World War II. The North Korean deployment was intended to reinforce Russia's army and help expel Ukrainian forces from Russian territory. However, nearly six months later, Ukraine still holds significant portions of Russian territory.

Ukraine has previously reported that it has captured or killed several North Korean soldiers in Kursk. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has published footage of interrogations with what he claims are North Korean prisoners captured by his army on the Kursk front. Ukrainian officials have also reported that wounded North Korean troops were blowing themselves up with grenades rather than being taken alive.

The deployment of North Korean troops to Ukraine was widely condemned by Kyiv and the West as a significant escalation in the three-year conflict. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff had previously stated that Pyongyang is preparing for additional deployments or rotations of soldiers to aid Russia's war effort.

North Korea and Russia have deepened their political, military, and cultural ties since Russia's invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022. In a New Year's letter, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un hailed Russian President Vladimir Putin and made a possible reference to the war in Ukraine, stating that 2025 would be the year when the Russian army and people defeat neo-Nazism and achieve a great victory.

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Keywords NKorea troops, Kursk, Russia, Ukraine, South Korea

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