According to Seoul, more than 1,100 North Korean soldiers have been killed or injured since fighting against Ukraine, alongside Russia. And their army is preparing a new deployment of troops as well as arms deliveries, the South Korean general staff said on Monday, December 23.
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“ We estimate that North Korean troops, who recently went into battle against Ukrainian forces, suffered approximately 1,100 casualties », a number which includes the dead and injuredthe Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said in a statement.
The South Korean general staff also observed preparations which made them believe that the North Korea is preparing to send new troops Russiaas reinforcement or to relieve those who are already fighting.
The information collected by the South Korea indicate that North Korea “ is producing and delivering drones that can self-destruct » to Russia, added the JCS. According to him, Pyongyang also supplies Moscow with its 170 mm self-supporting cannons, the formidable “ Koksan » with a range of 40 to 60 km, as well as 240 mm multiple rocket launchers.
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North Korea reportedly seeks to modernize its conventional warfare capabilities
The South Korean military believes North Korea is seeking to modernize its conventional warfare capabilities with Russian assistance, based on its combat experience against Ukrainian forces. “ This could lead to an increase in the North’s military threat against us », Estimates the South Korean organ.
Several thousand North Korean soldiers have been sent to Russia in recent weeks to support the Russian army, according to Westerners. For its part, the Kremlin has each time evaded questions on the subject, not wanting to confirm this information.
On December 17, the commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian army, Oleksandr Syrsky, declared that the Russian army was leading “ intense offensive operations in the Kursk region, actively using units of the North Korean army “. He added that this one already had “ suffered heavy losses ».
“ Immediate military aid »
L’Ukraine launched a surprise offensive in early August in the Kursk region of Russia. She still controls a small part of this territory. North Korea has never confirmed or denied the presence of its troops alongside Russia. But the two countries have strengthened their military ties since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
A historic mutual defense treaty between Pyongyang and Moscow, signed in June, entered into force earlier this month. He foresees “ immediate military aid » in the event of armed aggression by a third country.
The JCS’ latest findings confirm a South Korean intelligence report sent to lawmakers last week. According to him, “ Russia could offer reciprocal benefits » to North Korea for its military contribution, including “ the modernization of its conventional weapons “.
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