South Korea’s intelligence agency has reported that about 2,000 North Korean soldiers sent to fight alongside Russia in Ukraine have been killed, underscoring the deepening risks of Pyongyang’s military support for Moscow.
According to the National Intelligence Service, North Korea has dispatched over 10,000 troops, many of them to the Kursk region, where heavy clashes with Ukrainian forces are ongoing.
Earlier estimates placed the number of deaths at just 600, but the revised figure suggests that North Korea’s involvement is taking a far heavier toll than previously understood.
Pyongyang has not commented publicly on the reported casualties, and details of its deployments remain tightly controlled.
Analysts say the move reflects leader Kim Jong Un’s effort to cement ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin in exchange for weapons technology, energy supplies, and economic support.
The revelations highlight how the war in Ukraine has expanded beyond Europe’s borders, drawing in new participants.
Experts warn that the losses could fuel domestic strains within North Korea, which already faces economic hardship, food shortages, and international isolation.
South Korea’s government has pledged to monitor the situation closely, warning that Pyongyang’s military cooperation with Moscow may further destabilize security in Northeast Asia.
Meanwhile, Western officials say North Korea’s role in Ukraine adds another layer of complexity to efforts to isolate Russia.