Rising Casualties Among North Korean Troops in Ukraine Conflict: NIS Report
Casualties among North Korean troops in Ukraine have exceeded 4,000, as reported by the NIS. This increase reflects substantial losses since earlier estimates. Many young North Koreans are avoiding conscription through extreme measures, amid rising anxiety in the country. The NIS indicates that North Korea remains ready to conduct nuclear tests.
According to the National Intelligence Service (NIS), casualties among North Korean troops involved in the Ukraine war have surpassed 4,000. Rep. Lee Seong-kweun of the People Power Party reported that this figure is based on an NIS update from mid-March, marking a substantial rise from the approximately 3,000 casualties reported in January, related to the estimated 11,000 North Koreans sent to fight for Russia.
Lee indicated that following a temporary withdrawal at the Kursk front line due to heavy losses, North Korea dispatched an additional 3,000 to 4,000 troops to replace fallen soldiers. The NIS estimates that about 30% of the troops had been casualties after suffering significant losses. Despite these numbers, the NIS suggests that North Korean contributions on the battlefield have not significantly influenced the war’s outcome, assessing that they have been utilized primarily as expendable troops.
Reports from the NIS also suggest that North Korean forces may include senior officers who are being deployed in Ukraine, although the regime is attempting to conceal details of their military involvement. “North Korea tries to recover as many of the bodies of its dead soldiers as possible,” Lee commented, emphasizing the state’s efforts to maintain secrecy about its military operations.
In light of the ongoing conflict, there appears to be growing anxiety regarding conscription in North Korea, especially as many young men are the sole children in their families. As a result, some individuals resort to extreme actions such as self-mutilation to avoid service. Lee mentioned that the regime is proactively trying to pacify families of deployed soldiers by providing gifts and other incentives.
Regarding potential nuclear tests, the NIS has indicated that North Korea is prepared to conduct another nuclear weapon test at any moment, with only the timing in question. Lee reaffirmed the NIS’s ongoing assessment that the nation is ready for such a test this year, contingent mainly on the political context.
The casualty rate among North Korean soldiers in the Ukraine war has escalated, with over 4,000 reported injuries or fatalities. The NIS indicates that conscription anxiety is rising, prompting extreme avoidance measures among conscripts. Despite significant losses, the impact of North Korean troops on the war’s outcome is minimized by the NIS. Additionally, the risk of nuclear tests remains high, with North Korea positioned to act at any moment.
Original Source: www.koreaherald.com
