About 600 North Korean Soldiers Killed in Ukraine War, Lawmakers Report

Approximately 600 North Korean soldiers have been killed in Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, according to South Korean lawmakers who cited information provided by the country’s intelligence agency. The announcement followed a closed-door briefing by the National Intelligence Service (NIS) on Wednesday. Lawmakers Lee Seong-kweun and Kim Byung-kee, who co-chair South Korea’s legislature’s intelligence committee, shared the update with reporters. They reported that the total number of North Korean casualties in the conflict, including those injured, stands at around 4,700.

This update follows North Korea’s first public confirmation that it had deployed troops to support Russia in the war. On Monday, the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) published a statement quoting North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, in which he declared that he had sent troops to “annihilate and wipe out the Ukrainian neo-Nazi occupiers and liberate the Kursk area in cooperation with the Russian armed forces.”

The casualty figures revealed this week represent a considerable increase from earlier reports. In a previous intelligence briefing to lawmakers in January, the NIS had estimated that about 300 North Korean soldiers had been killed in the conflict. The latest figures therefore suggest that the scale and intensity of North Korea’s involvement in the war have increased significantly over recent months.

During the briefing to the press, Lee and Kim explained that the NIS now estimates that North Korea has deployed approximately 15,000 soldiers to support Russian forces in Ukraine. These forces have been directly engaged in combat operations, contributing manpower to bolster Russia’s efforts amid ongoing battlefield challenges.

According to the lawmakers, in exchange for its military support, North Korea appears to have received significant technical and military assistance from Russia. The benefits reportedly include help with developing spy satellite capabilities, as well as deliveries of advanced military technology such as drones, electronic warfare equipment, and SA-22 surface-to-air missiles.

Lee Seong-kweun emphasized that North Korea’s armed forces have shown marked improvements in their combat effectiveness after being involved in the war for over six months. Initially regarded as relatively inexperienced, North Korean troops have reportedly become more proficient as they adapt to operating modern weaponry and new forms of warfare. The experience gained from the conflict, including the use of drones and other advanced systems, appears to have contributed to a noticeable increase in their military competence.

This development has raised further concerns in South Korea and among international observers, as it indicates growing military cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow. It also suggests that North Korea is using the conflict as a live battlefield to strengthen its military capabilities, while simultaneously receiving technological upgrades in return.

In summary, North Korea’s deepening involvement in the Ukraine conflict marks a significant geopolitical shift, highlighting both the scale of its military commitment and the evolving nature of its strategic partnership with Russia. The rising casualty count and improvements in combat skills underscore the impact of this alliance on the broader dynamics of the war and regional security.