At least 600 North Korean soldiers have been killed while fighting in Russia’s war against Ukraine, according to a briefing by South Korean lawmaker Lee Sung-joon, citing the country’s National Intelligence Service (NIS). The report, first covered by Reuters, marks one of the clearest assessments yet of North Korea’s direct military involvement in the ongoing conflict.
Speaking to journalists on April 29, 2025, Lee stated that the remains of the fallen soldiers were cremated in Russian territory, specifically in the city of Kursk, before being transported back to North Korea. In total, South Korean intelligence estimates that approximately 4,700 North Korean personnel have been casualties in the war—including the 600 reported deaths.
The legislator also revealed that roughly 2,000 North Korean troops have returned home since the beginning of this year. Upon their return to Pyongyang, they are believed to have been placed in isolation, likely to prevent the spread of battlefield information and foreign influence.
According to Lee, an estimated 15,000 North Korean soldiers are currently deployed alongside Russian forces, primarily in the Kursk region and other parts of eastern Ukraine. He noted that the returning soldiers have shown improvements in combat capability, saying, “After six months on the battlefield in Ukraine, North Korean troops have become noticeably less incompetent, and their military training has significantly improved.”
The South Korean intelligence report confirms previous speculations and satellite evidence pointing to North Korea’s deepening military cooperation with Russia. The government of North Korea has officially acknowledged its troop deployments in Russia.
North Korea’s military presence in Ukraine underscores the growing alignment between Pyongyang and Moscow, as both nations face increasing isolation from the West. Analysts suggest this cooperation may also involve arms transfers, technology exchanges, and deeper political coordination.
South Korea has warned that North Korean involvement in Ukraine could serve as a dangerous precedent, allowing authoritarian states to profit from mercenary-style deployments in foreign conflicts.
