Around 600 North Korean soldiers have been killed while fighting for Russia against Ukraine, according to South Korean lawmakers citing information from the country’s intelligence agency. The total number of North Korean troops deployed to fight alongside Russia is reported to be 15,000.

The lawmakers disclosed that, in addition to the deaths, approximately 4,700 North Korean troops have been either killed or injured during their involvement in the conflict. Despite these losses, the intelligence report indicates that North Korea’s military has shown signs of improved combat performance, particularly after six months of fighting, with advancements in using modern warfare technology such as drones.

In exchange for providing troops and weapons to Russia, North Korea appears to have received technical support, including spy satellite technology, drones, and anti-aircraft missiles, according to the South Korean intelligence assessments.

“After six months of participation in the war, the North Korean military has become less inept, and its combat capability has significantly improved as it becomes accustomed to using new weapons such as drones,” said Lee Seong-kweun, a member of the South Korean parliamentary intelligence committee, following a briefing by the National Intelligence Service.

This week, Pyongyang confirmed for the first time that it had deployed troops to assist Russia in the war, a decision reportedly made under the direct orders of leader Kim Jong Un. The North Korean forces have played a pivotal role in reclaiming Russian territory that was previously occupied by Ukrainian forces, notably in the western Kursk region.

In a particularly grim revelation, Lee added that the bodies of fallen North Korean soldiers were reportedly cremated in Kursk before being returned to North Korea. Beyond military support, North Korea is also believed to have sent around 15,000 workers to Russia, generating hard currency income for the regime. However, U.N. sanctions prohibit the use of North Korean labor in third-party countries.

The growing military and economic collaboration between North Korea and Russia highlights their increasingly close ties, as both nations remain politically and economically isolated on the global stage.

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