North Korean troop losses rise amid secretive war efforts
Over 4,000 North Korean soldiers fighting alongside Russia against Ukraine have been either killed or injured. The South Korean intelligence service, NIS, provided this information, as reported by the "Korea Herald."
What do you need to know?
- Number of casualties: More than 4,000 North Korean soldiers fighting with Russia against Ukraine have been killed or injured, according to the South Korean intelligence service, NIS.
- Additional forces: Following a brief withdrawal from the front line in February, North Korea sent 3,000 to 4,000 soldiers to compensate for the losses.
- Concealing involvement: The regime in Pyongyang is attempting to hide its involvement in the war by retrieving the bodies of fallen soldiers.
What are the effects of North Korea's involvement in the war?
According to data from the South Korean intelligence service, NIS, the number of North Korean soldiers killed or injured in the war with Ukraine has exceeded 4,000. In January, it was estimated that there were about 3,000 casualties, representing nearly a quarter of the 11,000 soldiers sent to Russia by the Pyongyang regime.
North Korean authorities, after a short withdrawal from the front line in the Kursk region of western Russia, sent an additional 3,000 to 4,000 soldiers to make up for the losses. The "Korea Herald " reported this information, quoting Li Song Kwun, vice-chairman of the intelligence committee of the National Assembly from South Korea's ruling People Power Party.
Why does North Korea conceal its involvement?
The regime in Pyongyang is trying to hide its involvement in the war by retrieving the bodies of fallen soldiers. Although Ukrainian authorities claim that the presence of North Koreans is tipping the scales of victory in favor of Russia, NIS believes their contribution is not significant. North Korean soldiers are treated as "cannon fodder" and have not played a decisive role in recent Russian gains in the region.
Furthermore, some North Koreans of conscription age are taking extreme measures, injuring themselves to avoid military service. The authorities offer gifts and support to the families of deployed soldiers to prevent social unrest. Li Song Kwun from NIS emphasized that North Korea is prepared to conduct another nuclear weapon test at any moment.
