North Korea Deploys More Troops as Casualty Estimates Rise

South Korea's National Intelligence Service estimates that approximately 2,000 North Korean soldiers have been killed while supporting Russia's war effort in Ukraine. This figure represents a sharp increase from an April estimate of at least 600 deaths. Intelligence indicates North Korea deployed more than 10,000 soldiers in 2024, primarily to the Kursk region, alongside artillery and missile systems.

Kim Jong Un has released a propaganda film praising soldiers' efforts to liberate the Kursk region in October 2024. While the film depicts military success, Western officials estimate one-third of deployed troops were killed or wounded. In August, Kim met with bereaved families, promising a "beautiful life" to the relatives of the fallen. He also recently inspected a new missile production line to expand capacity.

Further deployments are underway. Lawmaker Lee Seong-kweun reported that Pyongyang intends to send an additional 6,000 soldiers and engineers, with 1,000 combat engineers already arriving in Russia. These actions follow a mutual defense agreement signed between Kim and Vladimir Putin during a presidential visit to North Korea last year. Kim is scheduled to meet Putin and Xi Jinping in Beijing this Wednesday for a military parade marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.