US: "North Korean troops deployed to front lines, engaged with Ukrainian forces... Dozens of casualties"

US Department of Defense Confirms Casualties
Ukrainian Intelligence: "About 30 North Korean Soldiers Casualties"

The U.S. Department of Defense announced on the 16th (local time) that North Korean troops deployed to Russia engaged in combat with Ukrainian forces in the Kursk region of Russia, resulting in casualties.

Department of Defense spokesperson Pat Ryder stated at a briefing that day, "We have reports that North Korean troops participated in combat alongside Russian forces in Kursk," and added, "There are indications of casualties among North Korean troops." This is the first time U.S. authorities have officially confirmed North Korean troops' engagement and casualties.

Fat Rider, Ministry of National Defense Spokesperson. Photo by AP and Yonhap News

Spokesperson Ryder said there is no detailed information on the number of North Korean casualties but explained that North Korean troops integrated into Russian units were deployed in combat last week, serving in infantry roles.

John Kirby, National Security Council (NSC) National Security Communications Coordinator at the White House, also stated at a briefing that day, "Over the past few days, we have observed North Korean soldiers moving from the second line to the front line of the battlefield, actively participating in combat operations," emphasizing, "We have identified the specific scale of damage, which amounts to several dozens. It is not insignificant."

Since news broke in October that 10,000 to 12,000 North Korean troops were deployed to Russia, this is the first report of casualties. In this regard, Ukraine's Defense Ministry's Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) claimed via Telegram that about 30 North Korean casualties occurred in three villages in the Kursk region, where Russia has been trying to suppress the Ukrainian invasion for four months, and at least three North Korean soldiers are missing.

EPA Yonhap News

Matthew Miller, spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State, said at a briefing that day, "North Korean troops deployed in Kursk participated in combat and became legitimate targets for Ukrainian forces as combatants," warning, "If they cross the border into Ukraine from Kursk, it will escalate the conflict not only for the Russian government but also for the North Korean government."

When asked about China's role in restraining deepening military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, Miller avoided specific comments but said, "China certainly has more it can do to prevent Russia from taking actions that escalate the conflict."

Kursk is a region that Russia has struggled to reclaim after it was suddenly occupied by Ukraine in August, and North Korean troops are known to be concentrated there. CNN reported, "North Korean troops appear to have played a more prominent role as infantry on the Kursk front since early December."

However, there is skepticism about the joint military operations between North Korea and Russia. It is pointed out that language barriers are causing difficulties in combat cooperation between Russian and North Korean forces. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW), a think tank based in Washington D.C., noted, "Due to poor integration and ongoing communication issues between Russian and North Korean forces, Russian military operations in Kursk will continue to experience friction in the short term."

AP Yonhap News