North Korea has reportedly sent additional troops to support Russia in its war against Ukraine, although the exact number of recently deployed soldiers is still being assessed.
According to Yonhap News, the National Intelligence Service (NIS) stated that "after nearly a month of lull, North Korean forces were redeployed to the frontline area of Kursk in the first week of February."
The report added, "Additional troops have been deployed, but their number is still being studied."
This assessment follows South Korean media reports that between January and February, during a second round of troop redeployment to the Kursk region, between 1,000 and 3,000 North Korean soldiers were sent to Russia on Russian cargo ships and military planes.
Following the report, South Korean military officials indicated that signs suggest that North Korea may send over 1,000 additional soldiers to Russia this year.
It is believed that last year, North Korea deployed around 11,000 soldiers to the frontline area near Kursk in Russia.
Previously, the NIS reported that North Korean troops stationed in Russia had not participated in combat in the Kursk region since mid-January, likely due to heavy casualties among them. The agency estimates that around 300 North Korean soldiers were killed, and approximately 2,700 were wounded.
Kim Jong-un has become a key ally of Vladimir Putin in his war against Ukraine, providing ammunition and soldiers while raising concerns about North Korea's ability to strengthen its military and sustain its regime with Russian support.
