"Ignorant North Korean Soldiers in 'Drone Attack'...NIS Reports Over 100 Deaths"

NIS Holds Closed Briefing with Intelligence Committee Amid Opposition Boycott
"Even Russian Troops Complain About North Korean Military's Ignorance"
"Roki Emphasizes Preventing Conflict with South Korea During Impeachment Crisis"

Intelligence authorities revealed that more than 100 North Korean soldiers deployed to the Russian battlefield have died, and around 1,000 have been wounded. Among the deceased are reportedly individuals presumed to be of general rank.

The image of a North Korean soldier captured by a drone operated by the Ukrainian military and released to the public. Photo by Yonhap News

On the morning of the 19th, Lee Seong-gwon, the ruling party secretary of the National Assembly Intelligence Committee and a member of the People Power Party, disclosed these details about North Korean troop movements to reporters after a closed-door briefing of the Intelligence Committee. The briefing was attended only by members of the People Power Party, as opposition party members boycotted it due to National Intelligence Service Director Cho Tae-yong being a suspect in the martial law incident.

Lee explained, "The Kursk region has become the site of the fiercest battles due to Russia's final territorial recapture offensive," adding, "It is estimated that about 11,000 North Korean troops are deployed in this area, with some having been actually engaged in combat since the beginning of this month." The National Intelligence Service reported that at least 100 deaths and 1,000 injuries occurred during this process. This is the first official confirmation by our intelligence agency, following the United States, of North Korean military casualties.

The National Intelligence Service stated, "There is also evidence that around 20 casualties, including high-ranking officers, occurred previously due to Ukrainian attacks and training accidents," explaining, "The unfamiliar open terrain battlefield environment, where frontline assault troops are being consumed, and the lack of adequate response to drone attacks are factors behind the casualties." Additionally, it noted, "Complaints have arisen within the Russian military that North Korean troops are a burden due to their ignorance of drones."

Nevertheless, North Korea appears to be considering 'additional troop deployments.' The possibility of corresponding Russian weapons support cannot be ruled out. The National Intelligence Service said, "There are rumors of additional conscriptions within North Korea's Typhoon Unit, and there is evidence that North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un observed training," adding, "We are closely monitoring whether North Korea will send additional troops." It also stated, "We anticipate reciprocal benefits such as Russia modernizing North Korea's conventional weapons."

Cho Tae-yong, Director of the National Intelligence Service, and Hwang Won-jin, Deputy Director of the National Intelligence Service, are having a conversation with Shin Sung-bum, Chairman of the National Assembly Intelligence Committee, and Kwon Seong-dong, Acting Leader and Floor Leader of the People Power Party, during a closed-door meeting at the National Assembly Intelligence Committee on the morning of the 19th. Photo by Yonhap News

There is also analysis suggesting that North Korea is attempting to reduce the possibility of conflict through a low-key strategy amid South Korea's impeachment political turmoil. North Korea is strengthening internal party control ahead of the year-end Workers' Party plenary meeting.

The National Intelligence Service assessed, "There are no imminent signs of provocations against South Korea, and emphasis is being placed on preventing military clashes along the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) and Northern Limit Line (NLL) in the frontlines," adding, "North Korea's maintenance of a low-key stance is to uphold the principle of two hostile states, maintaining an attitude of 'indifference toward the South,' and conversely, because the democratic system becoming known to the populace would pose a burden on regime management."