Over 6,000 North Korean Troops Killed or Injured in Ukraine War: British Defense Ministry

The British defense ministry reports that over 6,000 North Korean troops have been killed or injured in the Ukraine war, particularly in the Kursk region. This number represents more than half of the 11,000 troops initially sent by Pyongyang. North Korean operations have been confined to Kursk, with significant casualties arising from heavy assaults.

According to the British defense ministry, an estimated 6,000 North Korean troops have either been killed or injured while fighting against Ukrainian forces in the Kursk region of Russia. This figure represents more than half of the approximately 11,000 troops that were originally deployed by Pyongyang. The ministry shared its latest assessment in an X post on Sunday, following an earlier report in April that indicated 5,000 casualties among North Korean troops on the western front.

The British defense ministry highlighted that North Korean troops have sustained significant casualty rates due to what they described as “large, highly attritional dismounted assaults.” The mention of DPRK refers to North Korea’s official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. According to the assessments, North Korea’s military actions have thus far been limited to the Kursk area, and any potential deployment into Ukraine itself would likely require the consent of Russian President Vladimir Putin as well as North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

In a related note, South Korea’s military reported that North Korea initially deployed about 11,000 soldiers to Russia during previous operations, and they have since sent an additional 3,000 troops to the Kursk region this year. The National Intelligence Service of South Korea confirmed to lawmakers in late April that North Korea had sustained approximately 4,700 casualties at that point in time, which included around 600 fatalities.

The ongoing conflict, particularly in the Kursk region, has raised concerns and questions regarding the scale and implications of North Korean troop involvement. As the situation develops, it becomes increasingly critical to assess the wider ramifications on regional security, especially considering the potential for increased engagement in the Ukrainian theater of war.

In summary, the British defense ministry’s report indicates that North Korea has suffered over 6,000 casualties in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, primarily in the Kursk region. This significant loss of personnel—more than half of the initial troop deployment—raises concerns about North Korea’s military strategy and regional stability. With ongoing discussions regarding further involvement in Ukraine, the response from both North Korean and Russian leadership remains key to shaping future events in this conflict.

Original Source: www.koreaherald.com