South Korea Reports Heavy North Korean Casualties in Ukraine Conflict
More than 100 North Korean soldiers have reportedly been killed in Ukraine while fighting alongside Russian forces, according to a South Korean lawmaker.
Lee Sung-kwon shared the information following a briefing by the National Intelligence Service (NIS), noting that over 1,000 additional North Korean troops have sustained injuries. Among the casualties are said to be high-ranking officials, with losses attributed to unfamiliarity with the terrain and the challenges posed by drone warfare.
Reports of North Korean casualties first surfaced earlier this week. In October, it was revealed that Pyongyang had dispatched around 10,000 troops to support Russia’s military operations in Ukraine.
Reports Highlight Heavy North Korean Casualties in Russia-Ukraine Conflict
The United States has reported fatalities among North Korean forces involved in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, though specific numbers remain unclear. A Pentagon spokesperson confirmed deaths without elaborating, while an unnamed U.S. official later stated that “several hundred” had been killed or injured. These claims have not been independently verified.
North Korean soldiers, reportedly with no prior combat experience, are believed to have spent their initial weeks in Russia undergoing training and performing support duties. Reports suggest that casualties occurred in the Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces are defending a small area captured during a surprise offensive in August.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently stated that Russia is utilizing a “significant number” of North Korean troops in its operations around Kursk. However, these forces are not believed to have entered Ukrainian territory, where Russian advances continue in the eastern regions of the country.
