South Korea has claimed that more than a thousand North Korean soldiers died in the Russia-Ukraine war. According to South Korean officials, the number of North Korean soldiers who died in the war is at least 1100.
South Korea's intelligence agency reported to lawmakers last week that at least 100 North Korean soldiers have been killed since entering the war in December. Since then, more than one thousand North Korean soldiers are said to have lost their lives .
'Through various sources of information and intelligence, we have estimated that approximately 1,100 North Korean soldiers have been killed in the recent fighting with the Ukrainian army,' the South Korean military chief said in a statement.
South Korea has said that there is a possibility that more North Korean soldiers will be deployed to help Russia. It is said that Pyongyang is preparing to recall all its soldiers or deploy more soldiers. South Korean intelligence agencies claim that North Korea is 'producing and providing self-destructive drones' to further aid Russia in its fight against Ukraine.
The North has provided 240 mm rocket launchers and 170 mm self-propelled artillery for the Russian military. The South claims that North Korea is aiming to modernize its conventional war capabilities based on combat experience in the Russia-Ukraine war, and that this could increase its military threat.
North Korea has sent thousands of troops to support the Russian army in the Ukraine war. Most of these soldiers are believed to be deployed in the Kursk region, which was captured by the Ukrainian army earlier this year.
After Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, the military relationship between North Korea and Russia has strengthened . The historic defense agreement signed between Pyongyang and Moscow last June has come into effect this December. According to experts, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is willing to acquire advanced technology and war experience for his soldiers from Russia.
Previously, the US and its allies issued a statement criticizing North Korea's support for Russia in the war with Ukraine. Pyongyang criticized the statement as "reckless provocation".
