Seoul intelligence reports about 6,000 North Korean troops killed or wounded in war against Ukraine

Around 6,000 North Korean soldiers have been killed or injured in Russia's war against Ukraine.

According to Ukrinform, Yonhap stated this in an article, citing data from South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS).

According to the intelligence agency, about 10,000 North Korean combat troops and 1,000 engineering soldiers are currently deployed in Russia's Kursk region to support Moscow's war against Ukraine.

The NIS estimates that approximately 6,000 North Korean soldiers have been killed or wounded in the war.

The intelligence service added that about 1,100 troops and engineers who returned to North Korea last December could be sent back to the war.

"Despite suffering 6,000 casualties, the North Korean military has achieved the results of acquiring modern combat tactics and data in the battlefield, as well as upgrading its weapons systems with technical assistance from Russia," the NIS stated.

The intelligence agency also noted that Pyongyang has created a new unmanned aerial vehicle department and is accelerating efforts to build a system capable of developing and mass-producing drones.

As Ukrinform previously reported, South Korea's Minister of Unification, Chung Dong-yong, during talks in Seoul with Dutch Foreign Minister David van Weel, stated that there is a link between negotiations to end the Russia–Ukraine war and the situation on the Korean Peninsula.

Illustrative photo: kcna.kp