South Korean lawmakers have warned that North Korea could deploy additional troops to Russia as early as July or August to support Moscow’s war in Ukraine, citing assessments from the National Intelligence Service (NIS).
According to South Korean MP Lee Seong-kweun, who spoke to the press following a closed-door intelligence briefing, the NIS believes Russia may be preparing a major offensive against Ukraine in the coming weeks.
“The possible timeline for additional troop deployment is as early as July or August,” Lee stated.
He added that the intelligence agency based this assessment on:
A new round of troop recruitment reportedly taking place in North Korea.
A recent visit to Pyongyang by a senior Russian presidential security official.
In return for supplying artillery shells and missiles, North Korea is likely receiving technical guidance from Russia, particularly in satellite launches and missile guidance systems, Lee added.
After months of silence, both Pyongyang and Moscow have now publicly acknowledged North Korean troop movements and their involvement in Russia’s efforts to retake the Kursk region from Ukrainian forces.
The growing military cooperation is being justified by both nations as part of a mutual defense pact signed by Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un in June 2024, which deepened strategic and military ties between the two authoritarian regimes.
