As tensions in Eastern Europe continue to reshape global alliances, North Korea has quietly deepened its military and political ties with Russia — sending thousands of its soldiers across the border to aid Moscow’s ongoing war efforts.
According to South Korea’s intelligence officials, this large-scale deployment marks one of the most direct examples yet of Pyongyang’s growing involvement in Russia’s campaign.
Thousands of North Korean Troops Sent to Russia
South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) has revealed that since September, North Korea has deployed around 10,000 troops to Russia, with another 5,000 expected to follow soon.
Most of these personnel reportedly belong to construction brigades tasked with rebuilding infrastructure in Russian regions devastated by the conflict.
In addition to construction units, about 1,000 North Korean engineers have been sent to assist in demining and logistical support near the Russian-Ukrainian border.
The NIS said that Pyongyang’s forces are “fulfilling security and reconstruction roles,” but the agency continues to keep a close watch for signs of further troop mobilization within North Korea.
Growing Concerns Over Military Technology Exchange
While the deployments have been described as humanitarian and logistical, Seoul’s intelligence community isn’t convinced that reconstruction is the only motive.
Officials within the NIS believe Moscow could be compensating Pyongyang’s manpower with advanced military technology — particularly in missile and drone development.
“We are carefully monitoring whether any sensitive technologies are being handed over to North Korea,” one intelligence source said, warning that this exchange could significantly enhance Pyongyang’s military capabilities in the long term.
Diplomatic Ties Between Moscow and Pyongyang Strengthen
This wave of cooperation comes amid an ongoing diplomatic charm offensive between the two nations.
In late October, North Korea’s Foreign Minister, Choe Son Hui, made a high-profile visit to Moscow, where she met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and President Vladimir Putin.
Lavrov declared that Russia-North Korea relations had gained “a strong new momentum” since their leaders’ summit in June 2024, while Putin praised the partnership as “developing according to plan.”
Choe, meanwhile, expressed unwavering support for Russia’s efforts to “defend its sovereignty and international justice,” further solidifying the image of a united front between the two countries against Western influence.
North Korean Soldiers Join the Battlefield
Reports of North Korean troops fighting alongside Russian forces have circulated since 2024, though Moscow officially confirmed their participation only in the spring of 2025.
After Russia regained control of the Kursk region, Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov credited the North Korean units with making a “significant contribution” under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement.
“North Korean servicemen played an important role in liberating the border districts of the Kursk region,” Gerasimov announced, highlighting their assistance in defeating entrenched Ukrainian forces.
In Pyongyang, Kim Jong Un later hailed the soldiers’ involvement as a “sacred mission” to reinforce the friendship between Russia and North Korea.
He even pledged to erect a monument in the capital to honor those who died fighting in the region.
Discipline and Determination on the Front Lines
Russian military correspondents have praised the North Korean troops for their strict discipline, resilience, and unwavering focus.
War journalist Alexander Kots described them as “calm, methodical, and entirely dedicated,” noting that Russian troops jokingly referred to them as “battle Buryats” — a nickname used for secrecy in reports.
Military insiders credited North Korean soldiers for their contributions to operations around Korenevo and the villages of Stara and Novaya Sorochina.
Kots added that their code of conduct included a vow never to surrender, even under dire circumstances.
“For them, death in battle was preferable to capture,” he wrote.
A Strategic Partnership with Global Implications
As Pyongyang and Moscow continue to strengthen their political and military cooperation, the partnership raises alarms across the international community.
Analysts warn that this alliance could reshape the balance of power in Northeast Asia and undermine global sanctions designed to limit North Korea’s access to advanced weaponry.
With thousands of North Korean troops now active on Russian soil — and possible exchanges of sensitive military technology underway — Seoul and its allies are bracing for what could become one of the most consequential partnerships of the post-Cold War era.