More than 300 North Korean soldiers have been killed in battles, while over 2,700 have been injured, according to the South Korean intelligence service (NIS).
The National Intelligence Service of South Korea confirmed that the North Korean troops fighting alongside Russia in Ukraine had withdrawn weeks ago, amid speculation that they had suffered heavy losses.
North Korea had begun sending about 11,000 soldiers to the Kursk region in Russia in late 2024, shortly after a defense agreement between Kim Jong-un and Vladimir Putin was made, aimed at strengthening their alliance against Western hegemony, as reported by the Guardian.
However, this involvement came at a high cost. According to South Korean intelligence services, approximately 300 North Korean soldiers were killed and around 2,700 were injured.
In January, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky posted a video featuring two North Korean prisoners of war, one of whom stated that he had been told he was going to a training exercise.
The North Korean soldiers, with no prior combat experience, are said to have been unprepared for the harsh conditions of the war, especially against Ukrainian drone attacks.
Notes found on deceased soldiers showed that the Pyongyang regime expected them to commit suicide rather than be captured.
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The arrival of North Korean troops initially raised fears that the war could take a dangerous turn for Ukraine, with reports suggesting that Pyongyang planned to send more forces.
In exchange for supporting Russia, North Korea is said to aim at acquiring advanced Russian satellite technology, as well as economic benefits to finance its nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
The decision to withdraw troops from Kursk seems to be linked to the heavy losses suffered by the North Koreans, especially after the surprise Ukrainian counteroffensive in August 2024.
Seth Jones, from the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, estimated this week that nearly half of the North Korean soldiers sent to Ukraine were either killed or wounded, describing the losses as "shocking."
Pyongyang has not publicly acknowledged its involvement in the war, although in October, Putin did not deny the presence of North Korean troops in Russia.
On its part, North Korea insists that any troop deployment complies with international law.
