South Korea's ruling party lawmaker Yo Yong-weon said today that 3,500 North Korean soldiers are being trained to join Russian forces on the front lines in Ukraine.
According to Yo Yong-weon, who recently visited Ukraine, the North Korean military is currently conducting preparation training on Russian territory.
The South Korean politician cited a document from Kiev's intelligence chief regarding North Korea's new deployment.
"About 3,500 North Korean soldiers are undergoing field adaptation training at five locations in Russia's Far East, and there is a possibility of forming a third detachment," Yu said in the press release issued in Seoul today.
In recent months, Pyongyang has transferred troops in two phases.
The first contingent, of around 11,000 soldiers, was sent to Russia in October last year and a second group of 1,500 troops was deployed between January and February.
According to Yu, the second group has already completed adaptation training and is fighting on the front lines in Kursk, Ukraine.
On February 26, Ukrainian intelligence indicated that around 400 North Korean soldiers had been killed in combat.
The same source also said that 3,600 North Korean troops were injured in combat.
During a recent visit to Ukraine, Yu met North Korean prisoners of war.
The deployment of troops and military equipment is part of the strategic partnership agreement signed between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Russian head of state Vladimir Putin in June 2024, which allowed for the supply of North Korean weapons to Russia and the progressive incorporation of Pyongyang troops into the conflict.
As part of the deal, North Korea sent artillery pieces, missiles and other conventional weapons used against Ukrainian forces to Russia.
Russia invaded Ukraine in 2014, annexed the Crimean Peninsula, and launched a large-scale military operation in February 2022.
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