Recent reports indicate that North Korea has dispatched a significant number of military personnel to Russia, with around 5,000 military construction troops and 1,000 engineers crossing into Russian territory since September. This information was shared by South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS).
During an NIS briefing, lawmaker Lee Seong-kweun highlighted that North Korean troops have been moving to Russia in phases, primarily expected to assist in infrastructure reconstruction efforts. The intelligence agency estimates that about 10,000 North Korean personnel are currently stationed near the Russia-Ukraine border, with various roles assigned, including guarding and engineering tasks.
Recent analysis from the NIS also indicates that there are ongoing “signs of training and personnel selection” within North Korea, suggesting that further troop deployments may be on the horizon. Concerns have been raised about the human cost of this involvement, with estimates revealing that at least 600 North Korean soldiers have died and thousands more have been injured, some reportedly taking part in combat operations in Russia’s western region of Kursk.
This military cooperation between North Korea and Russia is seen as mutually beneficial. Reports suggest that North Korea is receiving essential supplies such as food, fuel, financial assistance, and military technology in exchange for its support in personnel and munitions. This arrangement appears to be a strategic move for North Korea to mitigate the impact of international sanctions imposed due to its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile initiatives.
Furthermore, earlier this year, a monitoring group indicated that North Korea might be preparing to send an additional 40,000 workers to Russia, including cyber specialists, despite an existing international ban on overseas labor. As the conflict in Ukraine persists, the NIS has committed to closely monitoring troop movements and the coordination between Moscow and Pyongyang.
Meanwhile, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has positioned his country as one of Russia’s closest allies in the ongoing war, pledging “unwavering support” for Russia’s military actions in Ukraine and expressing a desire to deepen collaboration under their mutual defense agreement.
