North Korea Gears Up for Further Troop Deployment and Suicide Drone Shipment to Russia: Seoul

Seoul, Dec 23 (NationPress) North Korea seems to be gearing up to send additional troops and military resources to Russia, potentially featuring suicide drones, as part of support for Moscow's ongoing conflict in Ukraine, according to South Korea's military on Monday.

The assessment by South Korea's intelligence agency indicates that North Korea is believed to have dispatched thousands of soldiers to assist Russia in its war against Ukraine, with estimated casualties around 1,100, as reported by the Yonhap news agency.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) stated, "A thorough evaluation of various intelligence sources reveals that North Korea is preparing to rotate or amplify its troop deployment in Russia, along with supplying 240-millimetre rocket launchers and 170 mm self-propelled artillery systems."

Furthermore, there are indications that North Korea may be moving towards the production and provision of suicide drones, which were first revealed during Kim Jong-un's inspection visit in November, according to the JCS. This initiative seems linked to the North's aim to acquire practical combat experience and modernize its conventional weaponry.

Last month, the state media from North Korea reported that Kim witnessed an on-site evaluation of various types of suicide drones and urged for the full-scale manufacturing of these weapons, which are becoming increasingly pivotal in contemporary warfare due to their cost efficiency.

The military is closely observing the situation, noting signs suggesting that North Korea has shown intent to supply loitering munitions to Russia, although a JCS official refrained from providing more particulars.

The JCS indicated that no specific provocations have been detected from North Korea, adding that the nation is concentrating on strengthening its military collaboration with Russia while effectively managing its internal conditions leading up to a significant year-end plenary party meeting.

However, the military did not dismiss the chance of North Korea executing an unexpected military provocation in conjunction with the major political event, such as the launch of an intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) equipped with a hypersonic warhead.

In April, North Korea declared a successful launch of a new IRBM with a hypersonic warhead, a claim that Seoul assessed as "unsuccessful," despite acknowledging that Pyongyang seems to have made strides in its hypersonic weapons development.

Looking ahead, the JCS forecasted that North Korea will persist with "grey zone" provocations next year, such as launching trash-carrying balloons and executing GPS jamming operations.

The JCS noted, "As North Korea must focus on assisting Russia next year, it is likely to feel pressured by the potential for military tensions or conflicts that could lead to a new war front."

Additionally, the JCS emphasized the importance of cooperation in information sharing with the US, as well as establishing a robust readiness posture, given the possibility that North Korea may engage in various provocations, including an intercontinental ballistic missile launch or a nuclear test to bolster its negotiating leverage against the US.

Moreover, the JCS pointed out that construction activities to enhance border security in North Korea are ongoing, revealing images of North Korean troops testing electric barbed-wire fences with what appeared to be goats.

Since April, North Korea has deployed thousands of soldiers to strengthen roads and set up anti-tank barricades.