South Korea’s military announced Monday that it has detected North Korea preparing to send additional troops and weapons, including suicide drones, to Russia in support of its war in Ukraine.
Expanding Military Aid to Russia
North Korea has already supplied 240mm multiple rocket launchers and 170mm self-propelled howitzers to Russia. According to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), Pyongyang is now gearing up to produce more suicide drones for shipment, following a successful test personally overseen by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
“Suicide drones are a key focus for Kim Jong Un,” a JCS official said, highlighting that North Korea has expressed its intention to provide the drones to Russia. These aerial weapons have been heavily used in the Ukraine conflict. North Korean state media reported Kim’s directive for mass production of the drones and updates to military strategies to keep pace with global competition.
Troops Deployed in Russia
Seoul, Washington, and Kyiv estimate around 12,000 North Korean troops are currently stationed in Russia, supporting its war efforts. The JCS reported that at least 1,100 North Korean soldiers have been killed or wounded, consistent with recent intelligence from South Korea’s spy agency, which detailed 100 fatalities and 1,000 injuries in the Kursk region.
Regional Security Concerns
Pyongyang’s growing ties with Moscow raise significant security concerns for South Korea. The JCS warned that North Korea’s military collaboration with Russia could enhance its combat experience and modernization efforts, posing a greater threat to Seoul despite the North’s conventional forces being deemed inferior.
On the Korean border, North Korea has intensified fortifications, deploying up to 10,000 troops to reinforce barriers and install electrified fences. Over the weekend, troop numbers dropped to several hundred, but the JCS released images showing soldiers testing the electrified fencing with a goat.
Potential Provocations
South Korea’s military also speculated that North Korea might test-fire an intermediate-range hypersonic missile before the end of the year, possibly as a show of strength ahead of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration. Other provocations, including launching intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and conducting nuclear tests, may follow to bolster Pyongyang’s negotiating position with the U.S.
Additionally, the North has continued its unconventional tactics, launching thousands of balloons carrying trash into South Korea since May in response to propaganda leaflets from South Korean activists.
Implications for 2025
“With Russia’s support, North Korea is likely to stage strategic provocations next year,” a JCS official noted. These provocations could further destabilize regional security and strain diplomatic efforts.