North Korea is continuing preparations to send additional troops to Russia, but no signs of an imminent deployment have been detected, according to the Ministry of National Defense.
In a report submitted to the National Assembly's Defense Committee by lawmaker Yoo Yong-won of the People Power Party, military authorities stated that while North Korea's troop deployment preparations are ongoing, "there are currently no identifiable signs of an imminent additional deployment."
The possibility of North Korea sending more troops emerged last month when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky raised concerns about the potential deployment of over 30,000 North Korean soldiers to Russia.
The South Korean military assesses that North Korea has already dispatched 15,000 combat troops and more than 6,000 engineers and construction personnel to Russia since October 2024. This is the first time the South Korean military has publicly disclosed a specific evaluation regarding North Korea's additional troop deployment.
Additionally, the military estimates that there have been numerous casualties among North Korean troops currently deployed in Russia, and that compensation for these troops has been provided. It is estimated that North Korea has supplied over 15 million rounds of 152mm artillery shells to Russia.
North Korea's military support to Russia appears to be ongoing. The Defense Intelligence Agency has assessed that since the onset of the Russia-Ukraine war, North Korea has been continuously supplying weapon systems, including short-range ballistic missiles, to Russia.
Given the practical data accumulated from North Korean missiles used in the Russia-Ukraine war, there is a possibility that their accuracy and performance have improved due to Russian consultations and parts support.
In particular, the Hwasong-11 series tactical ballistic missiles and 600mm multiple rocket launchers, designed for strikes against South Korea, are believed to have mostly completed their development stages.
However, the new tactical ballistic missile that North Korea announced it would deploy with 250 launchers at the front line has not yet shown signs of operational deployment.
North Korea is also continuing its development of medium- and long-range missiles. The Hwasong-12 intermediate-range ballistic missile, capable of reaching Guam, is reportedly in the process of operational deployment following its development.
Furthermore, North Korea has secured the capability to reach the U.S. mainland with its intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), but the military has assessed that key technologies, such as re-entry of warheads into the atmosphere, have not yet been verified, as all test launches have been conducted at high angles.
In the submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) sector, North Korea is believed to be developing the Polaris series with ranges exceeding medium-range and the short-range Hwasong-11S SLBM.
Meanwhile, North Korea is accelerating military enhancements in border areas, including the installation of minefields and barbed wire along the Military Demarcation Line (MDL), as well as increasing its military capabilities with 240mm and 600mm multiple rocket launchers and new self-propelled artillery.
Lawmaker Yoo stated, "The practical experience and data accumulated by North Korea in the Russia-Ukraine war should not be taken lightly, as they could pose a threat to the Korean Peninsula. Our military must establish a solid military readiness posture to respond immediately and decisively, and maintain a robust South Korea-U.S. joint defense posture."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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