National Intelligence Service Estimates 4,700 Casualties Among Deployed North Korean Troops
Among the approximately 15,000 North Korean troops deployed in the Russia-Ukraine war, over 4,700 have been confirmed as casualties. The number of deaths is estimated to be around 600. The National Assembly's Intelligence Committee disclosed this information during a closed meeting on the 30th.
Lee Seong-kwon, a member of the People Power Party, said after the meeting with reporters, "As of now, the total number of North Korean casualties is estimated to be 4,700, including 600 deaths. More than 2,000 of these have been repatriated to North Korea by aircraft and train, where they are currently being quarantined in places like Pyongyang."
He also added that due to the prolonged deployment, reports of misconduct such as excessive drinking and theft among the North Korean troops have been noted.
Regarding the possibility of additional troop deployments from North Korea, he stated, "Currently, there are no visible signs of a third wave of deployments, but North Korea has hinted at further support through past deployment official documents. The training of special operations forces is being intensified, so it cannot be completely ruled out."
Concerning Kim Jong-un's visit to Russia, he noted, "While there are analyses suggesting a possible resumption of relations, it seems that there will be no significant movement regarding the upcoming 80th anniversary of Russia's Victory Day, and it is expected that alternative figures like Choe Ryong-hae will attend instead of a direct participation by Kim Jong-un."
Regarding North Korea-U.S. relations, he mentioned, "North Korea is showing restraint in criticizing President Donald Trump, and President Trump is also sending conciliatory messages, so the possibility of a meeting between North Korea and the U.S. cannot be completely ruled out."
Kim Byeong-ki, a member of the Democratic Party, revealed, "North Korea is in discussions with Russia about industrial modernization in 14 areas, including metals, aviation, energy, and tourism. In this context, it is estimated that 15,000 North Korean workers have been sent to Russia."
He added that militarily, North Korea has received technical consultations for reconnaissance satellite launch systems, electronic warfare equipment for drones, and surface-to-air missiles like the SA-22.
Regarding Kim Jong-un's health, the lawmaker stated, "There are no signs of health issues, and he is actively engaging in defense and civilian affairs." He explained that Kim Joo-ae has been consistently visiting Kim Jong-un, which is fostering an atmosphere for succession.
He continued, "North Korea is focusing on hacking advanced defense technology to fulfill Kim Jong-un's directives, and after declaring this year as the starting point for a healthcare revolution, hacking related to the medical field has increased."
He emphasized that, in the context of sanctions against North Korea, they are fully committed to stealing virtual assets to fund military provocations, including the development of weapons of mass destruction and preparations for nuclear tests. He stated that they recognize virtual assets as a key funding source that can bypass international sanctions.
The lawmaker pointed out that last year, vulnerabilities in 19 types of IT products were exploited, and already this year, 13 types have been exploited.
He reported that a new method called "Kushing Mail," which combines phishing with QR codes, was used for the first time by embedding it in email bodies to induce access to a proxy site.
Regarding unauthorized filming of military facilities by Chinese nationals, he said, "There have been a total of 11 instances of filming, including a drone shooting a carrier docked at the Busan Naval Operations Command last year." He added that the National Intelligence Service analyzes that there are significant intentions to evade domestic laws, given that they are using high-performance cameras and drones from outside military boundaries and employing radios during activities.
Image source: Lee Seong-kwon (left) from the People Power Party and Kim Byeong-ki from the Democratic Party, members of the National Assembly's Intelligence Committee, briefing reporters after a closed meeting on the 30th at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul / News1, President Zelensky x capture, North Korean military parade scene / News1 (Rodong Sinmun)
