South Korea’s defense ministry reports that North Korea has supplied Russia with military aid, including 200 long-range artillery pieces, missiles, and an estimated 11,000 troops. Additional deliveries of troops, weapons, and ammunition are “likely,” officials said in an 11 February briefing to the parliamentary defense committee, according to Yonhap.

According to Seoul’s intelligence assessments, North Korea has already suffered 300 combat deaths and 2,700 wounded among its forces deployed in Russia. The shipments of artillery and other weaponry are seen as a continuation of Pyongyang’s military aid to Moscow in its war against Ukraine.

The defense ministry further warned that North Korea is likely to increase its weapons development this year, as 2025 marks the final year of its five-year plan for military expansion. Pyongyang is focusing on advanced systems such as nuclear-powered submarines, spy satellites, and solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).

Seoul has raised concerns that in return for military support, North Korea may receive Russian technological assistance, particularly for nuclear-powered submarine development and atmospheric re-entry technology for ICBMs. The defense ministry pointed out that such an exchange could significantly enhance Pyongyang’s strategic capabilities.

Meanwhile, South Korean officials noted that North Korea has remained unresponsive to US President Donald Trump’s expressed willingness to reengage in talks. Instead of diplomatic outreach, Pyongyang has continued missile tests and publicly showcased Kim Jong-un’s visit to a nuclear-material production facility.

Related:

• ISW: Russia sends military to North Korea potentially to share combat experience
• North Korea sends thousands of workers to Russia in 2024
• Kim Jong Un vows continued support for Russia as it fights for ”just cause”
• NHK: North Korea built a drone with Russian help, mass production starts this year
• Zelenskyy confirms North Korean forces’ new deployment to Russia’s Kursk Oblast
• Reuters: Russians achieve higher precision with North Korean missiles in Ukraine
• Ukrainian drones devastated North Korean troops in Kursk. That might be exactly what Kim wanted
• South Korea’s Intelligence confirms North Korean troops’ withdrawal from Kursk Oblast after heavy losses
• North Korean reinforcements expected in two months in Russia, NYT reports
• Moscow received 148 KN-23 ballistic missiles from Pyongyang in 2024, Ukraine’s spymaster says