Several mass media in Ukraine and abroad all at once exploded with the news that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea had sent new military forces to russia for combat operations, particularly in the Kursk Region. These reports suggested that Pyongyang had deployed not just additional infantry to send into the meat grinder but units equipped with armored vehicles, sappers, and electronic warfare systems.
The primary source of these claims appears to be South Korean intelligence, which reportedly shared its findings with national media. However, Defense Express notes that the original information was somewhat different.
Read more: North Korea Constructs Another Large Military Vessel: Satellite Imagery Analysis
Watch how Ukraine’s SOF repel North Korean troops assault in russia’s Kursk region.The special forces eliminated 17 DPRK soldiers. One North Korean soldier had set an unsuccessful trap for the rangers of the 6th Regiment and blew himself up with a grenade. pic.twitter.com/nObBOMnusI — SPECIAL OPERATIONS FORCES OF UKRAINE (@SOF_UKR) January 13, 2025
The Korea Herald writes that Korean intelligence did confirm the relocation of additional DPRK army units, but this movement occurred in early February, nearly a month ago. Moreover, no details were provided regarding the number or composition of these forces.
The claim that these units include mechanized forces originated from military expert Hong Min, a senior researcher at the Korea Institute for National Unification. He suggested that Pyongyang saw advantages in sending troops to russia and was "likely to expand beyond infantry forces, sending specialized units in mechanized artillery, electronic warfare, and reconnaissance to gain diverse combat experience." According to him, this indicates that Moscow and Pyongyang do not expect a swift end to the war.
Another source making similar claims is Korea JoongAng Daily. Citing its own insiders, the publication reported that North Korean reinforcements included motorized rifle troops as well as engineering and radio-electronic units. It also stated that between January and February, 1,000 to 3,000 DPRK military personnel were transferred to the Kursk Region.
These reports, however, contrast with more recent comments from the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine, which remained largely ignored in this discourse. In interviews with The Chosun Daily, intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov and his deputy Vadym Skibitskyi stated that there was no concrete evidence of additional infantry forces. Instead, they observed a clear increase in artillery, missile, and support units. As of February 17, approximately 1,000 North Korean soldiers were undergoing training with this newly supplied military equipment.
Ukrainian intelligence also estimated that a total of 12,000 North Korean troops had been deployed, operating within larger russian formations rather than as independent units with their own designated frontline areas. Since deployment, around 4,000 North Korean soldiers have been killed or seriously wounded.
Read more: 1,000 North Korean Troops Train for War, Mastering Tanks, Drones, and Missile Systems
