No new North Korean troop deployment to Russia detected: South Korea
Synopsis
South Korea's military intelligence has found no evidence of an imminent fresh deployment of North Korean troops to Russia — even as Pyongyang reportedly keeps its internal preparations alive. With over 16,000 troops already sent since October 2024 and 15 million artillery rounds supplied, the scale of North Korea's existing military commitment to Russia's war is already historic, regardless of what comes next.
Key Takeaways
South Korea's Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) found no sign of an imminent additional North Korean troop deployment to Russia as of 23 August .
North Korea is believed to be continuing internal preparations for a possible further deployment, per the DIA report.
Ukrainian President Zelensky had claimed last month that Russia was readying an additional 30,000 North Korean troops for a southwestern border region.
Kim Yo-jong dismissed Zelensky's claim as 'completely groundless' last week.
The DIA estimates North Korea has deployed more than 16,000 troops to Russia since October 2024 and supplied over 15 million artillery rounds .
Kim Jong-un this month expressed confidence in deepening ties with Russia in a message to President Putin .
South Korea's Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) has found no signs of an imminent dispatch of additional North Korean troops to Russia, a lawmaker disclosed on Sunday, 23 August, citing a classified military report. The assessment suggests that while Pyongyang continues internal preparations, no ground-level movement pointing to an actual deployment has been observed.
What the Intelligence Report Says
In a report submitted to Rep. Yoo Yong-won of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP), the DIA stated: 'North Korea continues to prepare for deployment, but no sign of an imminent deployment of additional troops has been identified.' A military official separately confirmed that internal preparations appear ongoing, but no working-level movement has been detected.
Context: Zelensky's Claim and Kim Yo-jong's Rebuttal
The intelligence assessment follows Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's claim last month that Russia was preparing to bring in an additional 30,000 North Korean troops to a southwestern border region to bolster its war against Ukraine. That claim was swiftly dismissed by Kim Yo-jong, the influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, who called it 'completely groundless' last week.
Scale of Existing North Korean Military Support
The DIA estimates that North Korea has already deployed more than 16,000 troops to Russia since October 2024, with many reportedly killed or wounded. Pyongyang is also believed to have supplied over 15 million rounds of artillery shells to Moscow, according to the agency's assessment.
Kim Jong-un's Message to Putin
Earlier this month, Kim Jong-un sent a message to Russian President Vladimir Putin expressing his expectation of a 'more excellent future' in bilateral ties. He also conveyed his 'firm belief' that Russia would accomplish 'the sacred cause of defending the sovereignty, security interests and territorial integrity of the country,' as carried by state media outlet KCNA. The message came in response to Putin's congratulatory note marking the 81st anniversary of Korea's liberation from Japan's colonial rule, which lasted from 1910 to 1945.
What to Watch
The situation remains fluid. South Korean and Western intelligence agencies continue to monitor North Korean troop movements near staging areas used in the initial October 2024 deployment. Any confirmed movement of additional forces would mark a significant escalation in Pyongyang's direct military involvement in the Russia-Ukraine war.
Point of View
Not the intent. North Korea has already crossed the threshold of direct military involvement in a European war, a fact that has received insufficient strategic attention. With 16,000 troops deployed and 15 million artillery rounds supplied, Pyongyang is now a de facto co-belligerent in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The real question is not whether a second wave is coming, but whether the international community has any credible lever to stop it — and the evidence so far suggests it does not.
NationPress
23 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Has South Korea detected any new North Korean troop deployment to Russia?
No. South Korea's Defence Intelligence Agency reported on 23 August that no sign of an imminent additional deployment of North Korean troops to Russia has been identified, though internal preparations within North Korea are believed to be ongoing.
How many North Korean troops have already been sent to Russia?
The Defence Intelligence Agency estimates that North Korea has deployed more than 16,000 troops to Russia since October 2024. Many are believed to have been killed or wounded in the conflict.
What did Zelensky claim about North Korean troops?
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed last month that Russia was preparing to bring in an additional 30,000 North Korean troops to a southwestern border region to assist its war against Ukraine. North Korea's Kim Yo-jong dismissed the claim as 'completely groundless.'
What military supplies has North Korea provided to Russia?
Beyond troops, North Korea is believed to have supplied over 15 million rounds of artillery shells to Russia, according to South Korea's Defence Intelligence Agency.
What has Kim Jong-un said about North Korea's relationship with Russia?
Earlier this month, Kim Jong-un sent a message to Russian President Vladimir Putin expressing his expectation of a 'more excellent future' in bilateral ties and his firm belief that Russia would succeed in its stated war aims. The message was carried by state outlet KCNA.
