North Korea is likely planning to send an additional military contingent to Russia soon. These North Korean troops will also participate in combat operations against the Ukrainian Defense Forces.
This information was reported by RBK-Ukraine citing Reuters.
Today, January 24, the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) of South Korea stated the possibility of Pyongyang sending new troops to Russia, despite significant losses suffered by North Korean forces in the war between Russia and Ukraine.
"Since it has been four months since troops were sent for the Russia-Ukraine war, and there have been numerous casualties and prisoners, it is suspected that North Korea is accelerating further measures and preparing for an additional troop deployment," the South Korean military department reported.
The JCS analysis does not specify what further measures Pyongyang might take.
Additionally, officials in Seoul mentioned that North Korea is also preparing to launch a spy satellite and an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), although there have been no signs of imminent actions for such events.
As previously reported, North Korea sent its military contingent to Russia last fall to participate in the war against Ukraine. According to intelligence from various countries, this involves 11,000 to 12,000 North Korean soldiers.
North Korean military personnel are already engaged in combat operations in the Kursk region against the Ukrainian Defense Forces. The North Korean contingent is suffering significant losses in battles.
Recently, The New York Times, citing a Pentagon official, reported that North Korea could send reinforcements to the Kursk region within 2 months.
According to the British publication BBC, approximately one thousand North Korean soldiers have already died in the Kursk region while fighting against the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Additionally, according to Kyrylo Budanov, head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, North Korea will transfer additional ballistic missiles and howitzers to Russia in 2025.