South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) has revealed that approximately 10,900 North Korean troops have been deployed to Russia, with some already engaging in battles in the Ukraine war, according to a South Korean lawmaker.
A member of the parliamentary intelligence committee, Lee Seong-kweun, shared this information with reporters on Wednesday.
“North Korea has also sent additional arms to Russia for use in the Ukraine war, including self-propelled howitzers and multiple rocket launchers,” Lee said, citing the NIS report.
The deployment, which includes members of North Korea’s airborne units and marines, marks an unprecedented military collaboration between Pyongyang and Moscow as the war in Ukraine continues.
In a related development, North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui recently met Russian President Vladimir Putin during her visit to Moscow.
According to Park Sun-won, another member of the intelligence committee, this meeting was “unusual in terms of protocol” and likely involved significant discussions.
“The meeting probably went beyond formal greetings to address key issues, including the possibility of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visiting Russia,” Park stated, quoting NIS findings.
The NIS is reportedly working to confirm the number of North Korean casualties in Ukraine and whether any of the troops have surrendered. “There is conflicting information about casualties and surrenders, and the agency is still verifying the details,” Lee added.
Follow us on:
