North Korean Soldiers Bleeding on the Battlefield, a Pretext for 'Russia's Aid to North Korea'

NIS: "Specific Intelligence on North Korean Military Casualties"
Ukraine, Kursk Airstrike... Areas with North Korean Troops
North Korea Seeks Russian Support Using Soldiers' Lives

Intelligence authorities are confirming reports that North Korean soldiers deployed overseas have suffered casualties. Given that soldiers have shed blood on the battlefield, concerns are growing about what kind of technology or support North Korea might seek from Russia. Since the deployment has not been officially acknowledged, there is a possibility that the existence of casualties may be concealed internally.

On the 25th, the National Intelligence Service (NIS) announced that it is closely investigating specific intelligence indicating that North Korean soldiers deployed in the Ukraine war have suffered casualties. While several claims about North Korean casualties have recently emerged from Western officials and the Ukrainian government cited by foreign media, this is the first confirmation by our intelligence authorities.

A government official told Asia Economy in a phone interview, "Since the treaty between Russia and North Korea was signed in June this year, it is as if they declared they would shed blood for each other," adding, "Russia has already provided military support as well as economic compensation such as food and energy in return for the deployment." The official continued, "The deployment of North Korean troops will continue for the time being," but pointed out, "North Korean troops alone are far from sufficient to solve Russia's manpower shortage."

On the 23rd, the U.S. military specialist media outlet Global Defense Corporation reported that about 500 North Korean soldiers died when Ukraine attacked the Kursk region of Russia with Storm Shadow cruise missiles. The U.S. Wall Street Journal (WSJ) also reported that a high-ranking North Korean military officer was injured in the Kursk airstrike.

On the 20th, Ukraine struck an estimated target of a military command post in the village of Marino near Kursk with up to 12 Storm Shadow missiles. The facility is known to be used by North Korean and Russian military officers, and it is reported that more than 10,000 North Korean soldiers are deployed in the Kursk area where the airstrike occurred.

Earlier, on the day of the attack, the NIS reported at a full meeting of the National Assembly Intelligence Committee, "It is understood that about 11,000 (North Korean) soldiers completed local adaptation training in northeastern Russia and were relocated to Kursk around late October," adding, "They are currently assigned to Russian airborne brigades and marine units, receiving tactical and drone countermeasure training, and some are believed to have participated in combat." Although there were many conflicting reports regarding casualties at the time, it appears the situation has progressed to the stage where 'specific intelligence exists.'

The number of casualties is expected to continue rising. Since North Korean authorities do not officially acknowledge the deployment and disguise the troops as Russian soldiers, appropriate measures for casualties may not be taken. There are reports of unrest within North Korea due to children being deployed, but considering the difficulty of meaningful contact with family during military service, it is also possible that families are unaware of the deployment itself. North Korea is expected to compensate for participation and casualties through titles and medals.

Video presumed to be of North Korean soldiers released by Russian independent media. ASTRA Telegram channel

As the Russia-Ukraine war increasingly escalates, Russia is showing a sensitive reaction to the possibility of South Korea supplying weapons. On the 24th (local time), Andrey Rudenko, Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia, said in an interview with TASS news agency, "If South Korean weapons are used to kill Russian citizens, it must be realized that bilateral relations could be completely destroyed," adding, "We will respond by all necessary means."

However, with the combat participation of North Korean troops, once considered a 'red line' by the government, now regarded as a fait accompli, there is expected to be a shift in the direction of support for Ukraine. While considering the inauguration of the new U.S. administration in January next year, the principle of adjusting support methods step-by-step depending on the degree of North Korean involvement remains unchanged. Options such as supplying lethal weapons or indirectly providing 155mm artillery shells are not ruled out.

Meanwhile, according to the NIS, North Korea, which has supplied conventional weapons such as shells to the Russian battlefield, is understood to have additionally exported 'long-range artillery' including 170mm self-propelled guns and 240mm multiple rocket launchers.