SEOUL: Around 3,000 North Korean soldiers have reportedly been dispatched to Russia to assist in its ongoing conflict with Ukraine, with plans to increase this number to 10,000 by the end of the year, South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) has revealed. The information was disclosed during a private session of the parliamentary intelligence committee.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the NIS confirmed that North Korea commenced the deployment of troops to Russia, with approximately 1,500 soldiers arriving in early October. Lawmaker Park Sun-won of the Democratic Party relayed that NIS Director Cho Tae-yong reported an additional 1,500 troops had been sent subsequently. While these soldiers have not yet been deployed on battlefields, they are currently stationed at Russian military facilities where they are receiving training in equipment operation and unmanned aerial vehicle piloting.
The NIS noted that the total deployment is expected to reach 10,000 soldiers, with each soldier reportedly receiv
ing a monthly payment of $2,000 for their service in Russia. Despite being physically and mentally fit, the North Korean troops are said to lack experience in modern warfare tactics, such as drone warfare, raising concerns about potential casualties. Additionally, the NIS observed that North Korean authorities have relocated families of the deployed soldiers to undisclosed locations to manage confidentiality.
The dispatch of troops is believed to have been a topic of discussion between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin following a mutual defense pact signed in June. The NIS suggested that North Korea’s objectives include strengthening military ties with Russia, seeking Russian support in regional issues, overcoming economic difficulties, and modernizing its military forces. The pact reportedly includes provisions for mutual assistance in the event of aggression against either nation.
Rep. Lee Seong-kweun from the ruling People Power Party indicated that Russia might offer
compensation to North Korea in return for the troop deployment. Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin confirmed the presence of North Korean troops in Russia, marking the first acknowledgment by a U.S. official. Austin, speaking in Rome, emphasized the need to monitor the situation closely.