North Korean troops are stationed in Russia's Kursk region, intelligence officials said.
10 thousand people represent ordinary troops, another 1 thousand are engineers. According to the country's intelligence data, approximately 1.1 thousand military personnel returned to the DPRK in December, but they may be sent back to the Russian Federation.
South Korea believes that, despite the losses, the North Korean military was able to master modern combat tactics and, with the help of the Russian army, modernize their weapons systems.
The agency also noted that Pyongyang has created a new drone department and is accelerating efforts to create a system capable of developing and mass-producing drones.
Context
Since October 2024, North Korean troops have been participating in the war against Ukraine on the side of the Russian Federation.
On June 30, 2025, North Korean state television showed footage of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un mourning soldiers believed to have died in Russia's war against Ukraine.
The Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine reported on February 4 that a contingent of the DPRK army continues to participate in Russia’s war against Ukraine, carrying out attacks on border areas.
According to the Main Intelligence Directorate, during their participation in the war, approximately 3 thousand North Korean soldiers, having gained combat experience, have already returned to the DPRK. Most of them become military instructors to pass on the acquired skills of “21st century warfare” to the rest of the army in North Korea.
