South Korean intelligence reveals details of North Korean troops deployed in russia's Kursk Oblast

North Korean troops deployed in russia are believed to have been assigned to the Moscow Airborne Brigade and Marine Corps, and some of the North Korean soldiers have already entered combat, the South Korean intelligence agency said on Wednesday, Yonhap reported.

South Korea's National Intelligence Service made the assessment during a closed-door meeting of the parliamentary intelligence committee, according to People's Power Party representative Lee Seong-kweun and Democratic Party representative Park Sun-won, who attended the meeting.

"The North Korean troops are believed to have been redeployed to Kursk in late October after completing adaptation training in northeastern russia," the service told lawmakers.

The intelligence agency said: "Assigned to the russian airborne brigade or marines, (some) are undergoing training in tactics and drone response, while others are estimated to have participated in combat."

The intelligence agency also noted that North Korean troops may have suffered casualties or injuries when they entered the battle, adding that efforts were ongoing to determine the details of the fighting circumstances and the extent of the damage.

Seoul and Washington have previously said that North Korean troops deployed to the frontline Kursk Oblast in western russia have begun participating in combat operations against Ukrainian troops, despite criticism that their deployment could widen the war and affect security in Europe and the Indo-Pacific region.

Citing varying numbers of North Korean forces operating equipment, the agency estimated the military contingent at between 12,000 and 15,000, adding that additional troops could be deployed at russia’s request.

“If the war drags on, it will lead to increased casualties among servicemen, which will give putin the opportunity to demand additional troop deployments from North Korea,” the intelligence agency said.

There are also concerns that a prolonged war will also increase russia’s dependence on North Korea, increasing the likelihood that Moscow will transfer more sophisticated weapons technology to North Korea.

The agency also confirmed North Korea’s export of long-range artillery systems to russia, including 170mm self-propelled howitzers and 240mm multiple launch rocket systems. North Korea has previously been reported to have supplied russia with artillery shells and short-range ballistic missiles.

The intelligence agency also noted that North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui may have had a "very important and sensitive" discussion with russian president vladimir putin during her visit to the country in early November, adding that it may not have been just a courtesy call.

Choe's surprise meeting with putin took place on November 4 during her visit to russia, demonstrating increased closeness between the countries amid the deployment of North Korean troops to russia to participate in the war against Ukraine.

South Korean intelligence has also suggested that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un may visit russia.

As Ukrainian News Agency earlier reported, on November 4, the Center for Countering Disinformation reported that the Ukrainian Defense Forces inflicted the first casualties on North Korean military personnel.

On November 7, Forbes reported that Ukrainian fighters repelled an assault by russian occupiers and North Korean troops in the Kursk Oblast.