The National Intelligence Service reports over 4,000 casualties among North Korean troops involved in the Ukraine war. Concerns regarding recruitment and conscription efforts persist, leading some individuals to self-harm to avoid deployment. Additionally, North Korea’s readiness for another nuclear weapons test is affirmed by recent intelligence assessments.
Recent updates from the National Intelligence Service (NIS) indicate that casualties among North Korean troops in the Ukraine war have exceeded 4,000. Representative Lee Seong-kweun, deputy chair of the National Assembly’s intelligence committee, reported that this figure, as of mid-March, has increased from approximately 3,000 casualties mentioned in January and relates to nearly one-third of the 11,000 troops initially dispatched by North Korea to Russia.
Lee detailed that the NIS suspects North Korea sent an additional 3,000 to 4,000 troops to offset their losses following a temporary withdrawal from the Kursk front in February. He noted, “North Korean troops have disappeared from the Kursk front briefly as a result of losing some 30 percent of their men to casualties…” indicating ongoing losses and troop resupplies in the conflict.
The NIS has raised concerns regarding the potential casualties of high-ranking North Korean officers, suggesting that the regime is actively obscuring its military engagements in Ukraine. Lee stated, “North Korea tries to recover as many of the bodies of its dead soldiers as possible…” to minimize evidence of their involvement in the war.
Despite claims from Ukrainian authorities that North Korean forces were impacting the conflict’s dynamics, the NIS does not assert that their role has been substantial. Lee summarized, “North Korean troops were mostly used like expendables in the war…” confirming a lack of decisive influence in recent Russian territorial gains.
Reports suggest North Korean soldiers have been urged to commit suicide with grenades if capture seems imminent. Concurrently, anxiety regarding conscription is prevalent in North Korea, as many families are hesitant to send their only children to combat. In extreme cases, some individuals are resorting to self-mutilation as a means to avoid conscription. Lee noted that North Korean authorities are attempting to mitigate unrest by offering gifts to families of soldiers sent to war.
In addition, regarding North Korea’s nuclear ambitions, Lee indicated that the regime is poised to conduct another nuclear weapons test at any moment, asserting, “the only question is when.”
The National Intelligence Service reports alarming casualty figures among North Korean troops in the Ukraine conflict, now exceeding 4,000. The regime’s responses to troop losses, including additional deployments and measures against conscription, illustrate the growing anxiety within North Korea. Moreover, the potential for nuclear testing remains a critical concern, with indications that preparations are well underway.
Original Source: www.koreaherald.com
