Trends in North Korean Troop Deployment, National Assembly Intelligence Committee Report
"Assignment of Airborne Brigade and Marines, Combat Participation Begins"
"Additional Exports of Artillery, Including Self-Propelled Guns and Multiple Rocket Launchers"
Intelligence authorities revealed that North Korean soldiers deployed to Russia have been assigned to local airborne brigades and marine units and have participated in some combat operations. In particular, it was confirmed that North Korea, which has been supplying Russia with shells and other weapons, has additionally exported 'jangsajeongpo' such as 170mm self-propelled guns and 240mm multiple rocket launchers.
On the 20th, the National Intelligence Service (NIS) reported this information at a full meeting of the National Assembly Intelligence Committee, according to Lee Seong-gwon of the People Power Party and Park Seon-won of the Democratic Party, who are the committee's floor leaders.
On the 16th (local time), a soldier from the Russian 268th Self-Propelled Artillery Regiment is camouflaging a self-propelled artillery vehicle in the Pokrovsk area of Donetsk Oblast, eastern Ukraine (Russian name Pokrovsksk). Photo by TASS Yonhap News
Regarding the deployment of North Korean troops, the NIS stated, "Approximately 11,000 soldiers have completed local adaptation training in northeastern Russia and were relocated to Kursk around late October." Regarding the soldiers deployed to the Kursk front, it was assessed that "they are currently assigned to Russian airborne brigades and marine units, receiving tactical and drone countermeasure training, and some are understood to have participated in combat."
The NIS also stated, "Since North Korean troops have begun participating in frontline combat, casualties are expected, and we are currently assessing the specific operational situation and the scale of damage." However, concerning some media reports about North Korean troop defections, prisoners of war, or casualties, the NIS explained, "There is conflicting information regarding the facts, so we are in the process of accurately verifying the details."
Intelligence authorities also detected trends of North Korea exporting additional military supplies, having previously supplied shells to Russia. The NIS said, "It has been confirmed that North Korea has additionally exported jangsajeongpo such as 170mm self-propelled guns and 240mm multiple rocket launchers following shells and missiles." Military authorities have analyzed that North Korea has been operating munitions factories at full capacity since early this year to produce weapons for export to Russia.
Furthermore, regarding the meeting on the 4th between North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui and Russian President Vladimir Putin, it was analyzed that "there must have been quite important and sensitive discussions," and "it was not merely a ceremonial visit." In particular, mentioning the possibility of Chairman Kim Jong-un visiting Russia, the report stated, "We will closely monitor what kinds of weapons, equipment, or technology North Korea may receive from Russia in the future."
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