South Korean Intelligence Agency Says Number Of North Korean Troops In Russia Increases To 3,000 Personnel

Leader Kim Jong-un when he met the North Korean military. (Source: KCNA)

JAKARTA - South Korea's intelligence agency said on Wednesday some 3,000 North Korean troops were believed to have been sent to Russia to support the war with Ukraine, out of a total of about 10,000 troops expected to be delivered by December.

According to officials, the National Intelligence Agency (NIS) shared the information with MPs during a closed meeting of the parliamentary intelligence committee.

NIS previously confirmed that North Korea sent troops to Russia in line with its decision to send about 10,000 troops to fight alongside Russia against Ukraine. About 1,500 troops were transported in the first batch about last week.

"After the first wave arrived in Russia from October 8-13, 1,500 additional troops were sent there," MP Park Sun-won of the Democratic Party's main opposition told reporters, citing a report by NIS Director Cho Tae-yong, reported by The Korea Times October 24.

The troops have not been deployed to the battlefield. Instead, they are placed in military facilities in Russia and adapt to their new state.

The soldiers underwent special training on how to use military equipment and fly unmanned aerial vehicles, among other things.

A North Korean soldier receives about $2.000 per month for duty in Russia, according to the agency.

The total number of troops joining Russia is expected to reach 10,000, including 3,000 that have been deployed, he added.

"Russian infrastructure believes that North Korean soldiers are physically and mentally fit, but they lack understanding of modern warfare, such as unmanned aircraft attacks. They also expect there will be many casualties among North Koreans," NIS was quoted as saying by the lawmaker.

NIS also reported signs North Korea had moved families of troops sent to unknown places for isolation to manage the situation in secret and effective manner.

Pyongyang and Moscow are believed to have discussed sending the troops after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a pact promising a joint defense in June, NIS noted.

Regarding Pyongyang's intention behind the action, NIS believes Pyongyang aims to strengthen its military relations with Russia, seek Russian intervention in the issue of the Korean Peninsula in a state of emergency, overcome economic difficulties and modernize its armed forces.

Under the security pact, the two countries promised to help each other in the event of aggression against one of the countries.

"Russia is expected to offer compensation to North Korea in exchange for the delivery," said lawmaker Lee Seong-kweun of the ruling People's Power Party.

North Korea has not commented on the matter, but the news has spread to the local community and some of their family members "have lamented," the agency said.