SEOUL: Alarming reports indicate that over 100 North Koreans, sent to aid Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine, have died since entering combat last December.

South Korean legislator Lee Sung-kwon delivered this grim statistic during a press briefing on Thursday.

In a controversial move, North Korea has deployed thousands of troops to support Russia’s war effort, notably in the Kursk border area, where Ukrainian forces have recently gained ground. 'In December, these troops engaged in actual combat, resulting in at least 100 fatalities,' Lee emphasized.

In addition, South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) has predicted that the number of injured troops may soar to nearly 1,000. Despite these significant casualties, there are indications that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is gearing up to establish a new special operations force for imminent redeployment.

Lee pointed out that the elite North Korean Storm Corps—responsible for the initial batch of soldiers sent to the conflict zone—has the capability to send reinforcements, illustrating Pyongyang's alarming commitment to prolong its involvement in the war. The NIS also suggested that Russia might provide North Korea with 'reciprocal benefits,' including an upgrade to its conventional weaponry, should more troops be deployed.

Tragic reports confirm that some North Korean casualties can be directly linked to Ukrainian missile and drone strikes, with losses even reaching senior ranks.

'At least up to the level of a general,' Lee disclosed. The high casualty rate is attributed to the unfamiliar combat conditions North Korean forces face, as they are often utilized as expendable frontline units lacking the necessary training and equipment to counter modern drone warfare.

ARE THEY A LIABILITY OR AN ASSET?

Inside the Russian military, frustration is reportedly simmering, as it's believed the North Korean soldiers, not well-versed in modern warfare tactics like drone operations, are proving to be more of a liability than a strategic advantage.

This sentiment echoes warnings from U.S. military officials, who noted that North Korean forces have incurred 'several hundred' casualties in recent confrontations with Ukrainian troops.

Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrsky previously acknowledged that North Korean soldiers were central to an 'intensive offensive' in the Kursk region, highlighting their critical, albeit dangerous, role in the ongoing conflict.

Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, North Korea and Russia's military cooperation has accelerated, culminating in a landmark defense agreement that took effect earlier this month.

Analysts speculate that Kim Jong Un is keen to leverage this relationship to gain access to advanced military technologies and combat experience for his troops.

Amid these developments, North Korea has sharply criticized what it terms 'reckless provocation' by the U.S. and its allies.

Following a joint statement condemning Pyongyang for its role in the Ukraine war, a spokesperson for North Korea's foreign ministry accused ten nations and the European Union of 'distorting and slandering' its ties with Russia, framing their military collaboration as merely 'normal cooperative' relations.

The ongoing situation raises critical questions about the future of North Korean military engagement in Ukraine and the potential consequences for both nations in this unyielding conflict. Stay tuned for more updates as this story unfolds!