South Korean intelligence has detected signs of North Korea accelerating the preparation of additional troops for deployment to Russia in support of Moscow's aggressive war against Ukraine.
This was reported by Yonhap, citing South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS).
"With around four months having passed since the deployment of troops to the war between Russia and Ukraine, (North Korea) is assumed to be accelerating preparations for additional measures and deployment amid multiple casualties and occurrence of prisoners," the JCS stated.
According to the latest information from South Korean intelligence, at least 300 North Korean servicemen have been killed and approximately 2,700 wounded to date.
In exchange for North Korea’s military support, Russia is believed by Seoul to be assisting Kim Jong Un's regime in developing its missile program and advanced weapons systems. As a result, further weapons testing is expected, similar to what occurred earlier this January when North Korea conducted two missile launches just days before Donald Trump’s inauguration as U.S. President, one of which was claimed to be a test of a new hypersonic missile.
"While no imminent signs of a missile launch are detected since Trump took office, (the North's) preparations for a spy satellite or an ICBM seem to be continuing," the JCS noted, without providing additional details.
At the same time, South Korean military officials do not rule out the possibility that Pyongyang may resort to provocations at any moment, using its existing arsenal of short-range ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, or even balloons carrying debris.
"Given that the North has conducted surprise provocations depending on its needs, the military will not rule out the possibility of such provocations and will bolster surveillance and its readiness posture during the holiday," the report concluded.
