Approximately 600 North Korean soldiers have been killed while fighting alongside Russian forces in the ongoing war in Ukraine, according to revelations made by South Korean lawmaker Yoo Sang-bum, citing classified information from the National Intelligence Service (NIS).
This marks a significant escalation in North Korea's military engagement abroad, with the total number of North Korean troops deployed to Ukraine estimated to be around 10,000 to 15,000. Among them, nearly 4,700 have been either killed or wounded, indicating a severe toll on the North Korean contingent.
North Korean troops reportedly began arriving in eastern Ukraine late in 2024, assisting Russian forces mainly in rear-line operations such as construction, logistics, and munitions support. However, intelligence suggests that some units have also taken part in frontline combat, leading to heavy casualties.
According to NIS, many of the early casualties occurred due to the soldiers’ unfamiliarity with modern warfare tactics, especially against drone attacks. However, their combat performance has reportedly improved over time, as they adapted to the battlefield environment.
In exchange for its military involvement, North Korea is reportedly receiving advanced military technologies from Russia. This includes support in developing spy satellites, drones, and anti-aircraft systems, a collaboration that benefits both nations amid global isolation and sanctions.
The alliance between Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un has strengthened since late 2023, marked by reciprocal visits and increased military and economic cooperation. Analysts believe North Korea is leveraging this partnership to enhance its own military capabilities and gain international leverage.
The report also highlights that the bodies of North Korean soldiers are cremated in Russia’s Kursk region before being sent back to Pyongyang, raising concerns about transparency and possible concealment of the full scale of losses.
There are further troubling reports of suicide squads — North Korean troops allegedly being instructed to commit suicide to avoid capture, or being used in high-risk operations with low survival expectations. These reports have triggered global outcry, with human rights organizations demanding greater scrutiny.
South Korea and the United States have condemned North Korea's participation in the Ukraine war as a violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions, which prohibit arms exports and military involvement by Pyongyang.
Earlier in 2025, Ukrainian forces captured several North Korean soldiers, prompting President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to offer them in prisoner exchanges for captured Ukrainian troops. This situation has complicated diplomatic relations, particularly between Ukraine and countries in the Indo-Pacific region.
There are unconfirmed reports that North Korea may send additional personnel, including workers and engineers, to Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories, possibly to assist in reconstruction or arms production.
The use of North Korean troops has added a new dimension to the Ukraine conflict, raising fears of further internationalization of the war and new fronts of geopolitical tension, particularly in East Asia.