South Korean Intelligence Reports Up to 10,000 North Korean Soldiers Deployed to Russia

The NIS has received information indicating that North Korean soldiers are being sent to Russia and are expected to be deployed to the front lines in Ukraine following acclimatization training.

According to the intelligence agency, Kim Jeong-sik, a senior North Korean official, was spotted visiting the KN-23 missile launch site near the Russia-Ukraine front accompanied by military officers for guidance.

The NIS monitored North Korean military movements and reported that ships have been transporting 1,500 North Korean soldiers at a time to Vladivostok in Russia’s Far East since early October.

Photo evidence and satellite imagery confirmed the involvement of North Korean special forces in the Ukraine-Russia conflict, with the initial transfer carried out via Russian Pacific Fleet ships.

This marks the first time the Russian naval fleet has entered North Korean waters since 1990, according to the intelligence agency.

According to the NIS, the troops were transported via four landing ships and three escort ships from areas near North Korean cities Chongjin, Hamhung, and Musudan to Vladivostok, where they were provided with Russian military uniforms and weapons.

The agency also mentioned the movement of large transport aircraft, including AN-124s from the Russian Air Force, between Vladivostok and Pyongyang.

The NIS anticipates a second phase of transport to take place soon and noted that North Korea has been supplying ballistic missiles and other munitions to Russia.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol convened an unscheduled security meeting with key intelligence, military, and national security officials to address the situation.

In a statement, the government expressed concern over the increasing ties between Russia and North Korea and the potential security threat posed not only to South Korea but also to the international community.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Thursday that North Korean officers were present in Ukraine and joined the Russian army, with preparations to send around 10,000 soldiers to fight against Ukraine.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte mentioned that while there is no evidence of North Korean soldiers participating in the conflict, North Korea’s support to Russia in terms of weapons and technology is worrisome.

Both Russia and North Korea have denied arms transfers, with the Kremlin rejecting claims that North Korea sent military personnel to aid Russia.

The South Korean spy agency suggests that North Korea has likely enriched enough uranium to create a substantial number of nuclear bombs.

North Korea, governed by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), recently unveiled a secretive uranium production facility via state media for its nuclear weapons development.