09/02/2025September 2, 2025
Around 2,000 North Korean soldiers killed fighting for Russia — Seoul
South Korea’s spy agency estimates that some 2,000 soldiers have been killed, a South Korean lawmaker has said.
In April, South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) said at least 600 North Koreans had been killed in Russia’s war in Ukraine.
But after a briefing with the spy agency on Tuesday, Lee Seong-kweun told reporters the latest figures indicate that around 2,000 soldiers sent by Pyongyang have died.
According to Western and South Korean intelligence services, North Korea has deployed over 10,000 soldiers to Russia last year — mostly to the Kursk region, which borders Ukraine. Pyongyang has also provided Russia with artillery shells, missiles and rocket systems.
Lee added that the NIS believes North Korea is preparing to send an additional 6,000 troops.
“It is assessed that out of the recent third deployment plan of 6,000 troops, around 1,000 combat engineers have arrived in Russia,” the lawmaker said.
Details from Russia or North Korea on the troop deployments, which reportedly , have been limited.
Pyongyang only acknowledged that it had sent soldiers to Russia in April, when it admitted that some of its soldiers had been killed in action.
In July, North Korean leader to honor their deaths and offer condolences.
The post Ukraine updates: Seoul says 2,000 North Korean troops killed appeared first on Deutsche Welle.
