South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) has warned that North Korea is likely to deploy additional troops to Russia as early as July or August to support Moscow’s ongoing war in Ukraine.
In a closed-door briefing to the parliamentary intelligence committee, the NIS cited reports that Pyongyang plans to send 5,000 military construction workers and 1,000 sappers to Russia’s Kursk region. Lawmakers Park Sun-won and Lee Seong-kweun confirmed that North Korea has already begun recruiting for the deployment.
The assessment follows a recent visit to Pyongyang by Russia’s Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu, who met with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. The two sides reportedly discussed expanding military cooperation, including the dispatch of personnel to the front lines.
According to the NIS, North Korea has already supplied Russia with over 10 million artillery shells, missiles, and long-range weapons in exchange for economic aid and technical support, particularly in satellite and missile guidance systems. These contributions have significantly bolstered Russia’s military operations, with Moscow now controlling approximately 81% of Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, and Luhansk.
The NIS also noted that Ukrainian intelligence is anticipating a potential Russian offensive in the coming weeks.
Separately, the agency expressed concern over the fragile ceasefire in the Middle East, warning of a possible resurgence in hostilities between Israel and Iran. In response, South Korea is enhancing safety protocols for its nationals, securing maritime routes in the Strait of Hormuz, and monitoring critical supply chains for disruptions.