Seoul Intel Confirms Thousands of N. Korea Troops in Russia Under Construction Cover

North Korea has dispatched around 5,000 military construction troops and 1,000 engineers to Russia since September, according to South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS).

Lawmaker Lee Seong-kweun, cited by Ukrainian state-run outlet United24, said in an NIS meeting that the North Koreans “have been moving to Russia in phases and are expected to be mobilized for infrastructure reconstruction.”

The agency estimated that roughly 10,000 North Korean personnel are now deployed near the Russia-Ukraine border, with some assigned to guard or engineering duties.

The NIS added that “continued signs of training and personnel selection” have been detected, suggesting Pyongyang is preparing additional troop deployments.

Seoul also estimates that at least 600 North Korean soldiers have been killed and thousands more injured in the conflict, with reports indicating that some units have taken part in combat operations in Russia’s western region of Kursk.

Manpower for Moscow, Sanctions Relief for Pyongyang

Sources reported that North Korea is receiving food, fuel, financial assistance, and military technology from Moscow in exchange for its personnel and munitions support.

The cooperation allows Pyongyang to ease the pressure of UN sanctions imposed over its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs.

Earlier this year, a monitoring group revealed that North Korea is preparing to send up to 40,000 more workers to Russia, including cyber specialists, despite an international ban on overseas labor.

As the war in Ukraine continues, the NIS said it is closely monitoring troop movements and coordination between Moscow and Pyongyang.

Emerging as one of Russia’s closest wartime partners, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has declared “unwavering support” for Moscow’s campaign in Ukraine and vowed to deepen cooperation under their mutual defense pact.