South Korea’s military has raised concerns that North Korea may be preparing to send additional troops to support Russia in its ongoing war against Ukraine. The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) issued a statement on Friday, suggesting that Pyongyang is accelerating preparations for further deployment despite suffering significant losses and seeing some of its soldiers captured.

“As four months have passed since North Korea’s initial troop dispatch to the Russia-Ukraine war, and with multiple casualties and captives reported, North Korea is suspected to be preparing for additional deployments,” the JCS said.

This development follows reports earlier this month that two North Korean soldiers were captured by Ukrainian forces in Russia’s Kursk region, marking the first confirmed captures of North Korean troops since their involvement in the conflict last autumn. Ukrainian and Western sources estimate that North Korea has sent approximately 11,000 soldiers to Russia's western Kursk region to bolster Moscow’s forces. Kyiv claims over 3,000 of these soldiers have been killed or wounded during the conflict.

While both Moscow and Pyongyang initially dismissed allegations of North Korean troop deployments, Russian President Vladimir Putin later stopped short of denying the claims. A North Korean official stated that any such deployment would be lawful.

In addition to suspected troop deployments, North Korea is reportedly preparing to launch a spy satellite and an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). However, the JCS noted that there are no immediate indications of action.

Domestically, North Korea’s Supreme People’s Assembly (SPA) convened earlier this week, reporting on the country’s achievements in 2024 and adopting its state budget for 2025. The budget will increase government spending by 103.8% compared to last year, with a significant allocation toward bolstering national defense capabilities.

The SPA approved constitutional amendments, including renaming the supreme court and the top prosecutors' office. Notably, state media did not mention whether leader Kim Jong Un attended the sessions, nor did it report decisions on foreign policy or plans for engagement with the new U.S. administration.

Tensions on the Korean Peninsula remain high. Last year, the SPA amended the constitution to designate South Korea as a “hostile state.” Analysts had anticipated additional amendments this year that could pave the way for more aggressive military actions.

Separately, North Korean state media reported on the trial of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, describing his actions as “madcap” and accusing him of justifying martial law. These reports, widely dismissed as propaganda, underscore the continued hostility between Pyongyang and Seoul.

As North Korea deepens its military involvement abroad and bolsters its defense budget, its actions could have significant ramifications for regional and global security, especially as the Russia-Ukraine conflict persists. South Korea and its allies continue to monitor the situation closely.