North Korea Set to Deploy More Troops to Russia After Heavy Losses, South Korea Reports

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea’s military reported Friday that it believes North Korea is preparing to send additional troops to Russia following significant casualties among its soldiers fighting in the ongoing Russian-Ukraine war.

The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff outlined in a report distributed to the media that they also suspect North Korea is continuing to ready an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test, designed to reach the United States.

In a shift in diplomatic dynamics, the return of President Donald Trump to the White House could potentially enhance Pyongyang’s opportunities for high-level talks with Washington. Trump had met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un three times during his first term, and many analysts suggest that Kim may view his growing nuclear arsenal and expanding military ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin as a way to gain more leverage than he had during the 2018-19 summits with Trump.

North Korea has been supplying significant amounts of artillery and other conventional weapons to Russia, and last October, it sent approximately 10,000 to 12,000 troops to the Russian frontlines, according to intelligence reports from the U.S., South Korea, and Ukraine. There are concerns that Russia may, in return, provide North Korea with advanced weapon technologies that could further develop its nuclear program.

Despite being known for their discipline and training, North Korean soldiers have struggled with combat situations in the Russian-Ukraine war, largely due to their inexperience and unfamiliarity with the terrain. This has made them particularly vulnerable to drone and artillery strikes. Last week, South Korea’s intelligence services reported that roughly 300 North Korean soldiers have died, with another 2,700 injured. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy previously claimed that the death toll could be as high as 4,000, though U.S. estimates put the figure closer to 1,200.

The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff further reported that North Korea is believed to be accelerating its efforts to send additional troops to Russia, though they did not elaborate on how this assessment was reached.

The growing military alliance between North Korea and Russia could embolden Kim in his dealings with the U.S. and South Korea. At a major political conference last month, Kim reiterated his commitment to the “toughest” anti-U.S. policies. However, some experts believe Kim may eventually seek talks with Trump if he perceives an opportunity to secure concessions.

The collapse of prior talks between Trump and Kim came after the U.S. president rejected Kim’s offer to dismantle his main nuclear facility in exchange for substantial sanctions relief. Since then, Kim has significantly increased the frequency of weapons tests, expanding his arsenal of nuclear missiles targeted at the U.S. and South Korea.

In South Korea, there are concerns that Trump may prioritize limiting North Korea’s long-range missile program, which directly threatens the U.S., over the complete denuclearization of North Korea. This would leave North Korea’s nuclear capabilities aimed at South Korea intact.

During a Fox News interview on Thursday, Trump described Kim as a “smart guy” and noted that he and Kim had a friendly relationship. Asked whether he would reach out to Kim again, Trump responded affirmatively, saying, “I will, yeah.”

Trump stirred controversy on Monday by calling North Korea a “nuclear power,” which raised concerns in South Korea. Both the U.S. and South Korea have long avoided referring to North Korea as a nuclear state to prevent legitimizing its nuclear ambitions, which violate U.N. Security Council resolutions.

Jeon Ha Gyu, a spokesperson for South Korea’s Defense Ministry, emphasized on Tuesday that the goal of North Korea’s denuclearization must remain a priority to achieve lasting peace, not only on the Korean Peninsula but globally. South Korea’s Foreign Ministry reiterated its commitment to working closely with the Trump administration to achieve North Korea’s denuclearization.

North Korea has yet to comment on Trump’s remarks. Meanwhile, a state media report on the ongoing two-day parliamentary meeting in Pyongyang this week made no mention of foreign policy issues, including the U.S., South Korea, or Russia, nor did it indicate whether Kim attended the session.