Overview

• North Korea has officially confirmed deploying 18,000 troops to support Russia's recapture of the Kursk region in Ukraine, marking its first public acknowledgment of the operation.
• South Korean intelligence estimates 4,700 casualties among North Korean forces, including approximately 600 killed and 2,000 wounded who were later repatriated and isolated upon return.
• The deployment, carried out in two phases since late 2024, has reportedly improved North Korean soldiers' combat capabilities, including proficiency with drones and other weaponry.
• Reports indicate misconduct among North Korean troops, such as theft and excessive drinking, as well as orders for special forces to commit suicide rather than be captured.
• The June 2024 military pact between Moscow and Pyongyang underpins this alliance, with both Russian and North Korean leaders lauding the troops' contributions.