Seoul sees no imminent deployment of additional North Korean troops to Ukraine

The South Korean Ministry of National Defense has stated that there are no indications of additional North Korean troops being deployed to Ukraine at this time. While preparatory work for North Korean troop deployment has been ongoing, no evidence of imminent deployments has been detected. It is believed that numerous casualties have occurred among the North Korean troops already deployed.

South Korean and US intelligence agencies would likely have noticed if North Korea were preparing to deploy tens of thousands of troops, as it would involve moving the troops and equipment via transport vessels from major ports. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's sister, Kim Yo-jong, previously dismissed speculation of additional troop deployments as an "ungrounded farce."

The Defense Ministry also noted that North Korea has reportedly provided Russia with over 15 million 152 mm artillery shells. The Defense Intelligence Agency reported that North Korea has continued to support Russia with short-range ballistic missiles and other weaponry since the start of the conflict in Ukraine. The agency also confirmed that the development process for South Korea-targeted weapons, such as the Hwasong-2 tactical ballistic missiles and 600 mm multiple rocket launchers, is nearing completion.

These weapons exhibit improved operational performance compared to previous Scud missiles, including enhanced accuracy and the ability to launch in mass. Additionally, the agency revealed that North Korea has positioned 250 launchers for new tactical ballistic missiles on its front lines, but no evidence of combat deployment has been observed yet.

Furthermore, North Korea's Hwasong-12 intermediate-range missile, capable of reaching Guam, and the Hwasong-16 hypersonic missile are currently in development, but their stability in hypersonic environments requires further testing. Lastly, the South Korean military concluded that North Korea's Hero Kim Kun Ok tactical nuclear attack submarine has not been integrated, while the large nuclear-powered submarine under development is still far from being integrated into the fleet.