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Seoul detects North Korean troop buildup preparations in Russia, but no imminent deployment
🇵🇾 Paraguay /Conflict & Security

Seoul detects North Korean troop buildup preparations in Russia, but no imminent deployment

From ABC Color · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • South Korea's military has detected preparations for additional North Korean troop deployments in Russia but sees no imminent signs of such a move.
  • This comes amid Ukrainian claims that North Korea plans to send 30,000 to 50,000 troops to support Russia in its war against Ukraine.
  • South Korean intelligence also estimates North Korea has supplied Russia with artillery shells and potentially improved missile capabilities.

South Korea's military has identified preparations indicating North Korea may be planning to send more troops to Russia. However, Seoul has not observed any signs suggesting this deployment is imminent, according to a defense intelligence report. This assessment follows claims from Ukrainian officials, including President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, that Pyongyang and Moscow have decided to deploy between 30,000 and 50,000 North Korean soldiers to Russia.

The information of the potential deployment is part of a report from the South Korean Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) delivered to legislator Yoo Yong-won.

— South Korean Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA)Detailing the source of the intelligence regarding North Korean troop preparations in Russia.

The potential troop movement is part of a broader pattern of alleged military cooperation between the two nations. South Korean authorities estimate that since October 2024, Pyongyang has already dispatched approximately 15,000 combat soldiers and over 6,000 engineers and construction personnel to support Moscow's war efforts. This alleged support extends to munitions, with estimates suggesting North Korea has supplied Russia with the equivalent of over 15 million 152mm artillery shells.

Pyongyang and the Kremlin had made the decision to deploy between 30,000 and 50,000 North Korean soldiers in Russia.

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Kyiv officialsStating their belief about the scale of the potential North Korean troop deployment to Russia.

Furthermore, South Korean military intelligence suggests that North Korean missiles used in the conflict may have seen improvements in performance, including enhanced accuracy. This potential enhancement is attributed to real-world combat data and possible technical advice or component supply from Russia. Vadim Skibitski, Ukraine's Deputy Director of Defense Intelligence, corroborated some of these claims in a recent interview, stating that around 8,500 North Korean military personnel are currently stationed in Russia, primarily in the Kursk region, including approximately 400 drone operators.

around 8,500 North Korean military personnel are currently deployed in Russia, mainly in the Kursk region, including about 400 drone operators.

— Vadim SkibitskiProviding an estimate of North Korean military presence in Russia.

Skibitski also indicated that Pyongyang has supplied Russia with at least 150 short-range ballistic missiles, specifically Hwasong-11A and Hwasong-11B models, and has pledged to send an additional 120, with about 40 reportedly already delivered. These reports highlight the deepening military ties between North Korea and Russia amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Pyongyang has sent at least 150 short-range ballistic missiles Hwasong-11A and Hwasong-11B to Russia and promised another 120, of which about 40 have already been delivered.

— Vadim SkibitskiDetailing the types and quantities of missiles North Korea has allegedly supplied to Russia.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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