September 3, 2025 | 12:34 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Approximately 2,000 North Korean soldiers deployed to fight for Russia against Ukraine are believed to have been killed. North Korea is estimated to have sent 10,000 troops to aid Russia.
As reported by NDTV, South Korea's National Intelligence Service stated in April that at least 600 North Korean soldiers have died in the war. However, based on the latest estimate, the death toll is believed to have reached 2,000, said lawmaker Lee Seong-kweun to reporters on Tuesday, September 2, 2025.
Western and South Korean intelligence agencies said North Korea had sent over 10,000 troops to Russia in 2024, primarily to the Kursk region. The troop deployment was accompanied by artillery ammunition, missiles, and long-range rocket systems.
Lawmaker Lee stated that the South Korean Intelligence Agency believes that Pyongyang plans to deploy an additional 6,000 troops and engineers to Russia. Of this number, about 1,000 people have already arrived in Russia.
"It is assessed that out of the recent third deployment plan of 6,000 troops, around 1,000 combat engineers have arrived in Russia," said Lawmaker Lee, as quoted from DW.
Earlier this year, Moscow's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that North Korea would send construction workers and mine clearers to the Kursk region. North Korea has just confirmed that it has deployed troops to support Russia in the war in Ukraine in April and acknowledged that their troops have died in combat.
Since then, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has met with the families of the soldiers who died while fighting for Russia against Ukraine. Kim Jong Un expressed condolences for the "unbearable pain" suffered by the soldiers' families.
State media has aired images of an emotional Kim Jong Un embracing a soldier returning from duty. The soldier appeared overwhelmed, burying his face into the leader's chest.
Kim Jong Un was also seen kneeling in front of a fallen soldier's portrait to pay respects to the deceased. He placed a medal and flowers next to the fallen soldier's image.
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