At least 600 North Korean soldiers had died in Russia's war on Ukraine, and more than 4,100 wounded, according to the latest update from the National Intelligence Service.
Rep. Lee Seong-kweun, the People Power Party deputy chair of the parliamentary Intelligence Committee, told reporters on Wednesday that out of the some 15,000 soldiers North Korea sent to the war to date, about 600 had been killed and 4,100 injured. Lee was speaking after being briefed by NIS officials in a closed-door meeting.
Lee, citing the NIS, said about half of the 4,100 wounded soldiers had since been sent back to North Korea via plane or train between January and March. The bodies of the dead were being cremated before they could be returned, he added.
Lee said although the NIS does not think North Korea has sent additional dispatches, the intelligence agency was on the lookout for that possibility.
Lee said the NIS thinks North Korea formally acknowledging its participation in Russia's war was attributable to Pyongyang's efforts to deepen its ties with Moscow, as well as Russian President Vladimir Putin's desire to put up a semblance of victory.
Lee added that based on the NIS' analysis, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un wasn't thought to attend Russia's Victory Day anniversary himself next month, and instead have Choe Ryong-hae, the chair of the North's parliamentary Standing Committee, visit on behalf of him.
According to Lee, the NIS believes North Korea would continue to keep up its nuclear offensive, as apparent in the recent reaffirmation of North Korea's nuclear status by Kim Yo-jong, the North Korean leader's sister.
The NIS also noted that official messages out of North Korea have avoided offending the Donald Trump administration, which can be a sign of its willingness to engage in a dialogue with the US, Lee said.
The NIS said North Korea was also "keeping up its readiness to conduct another nuclear weapons test at any time," according to Lee. The Yongbyon facility hasn't stopped producing weapons-grade plutonium, Lee said, so that "a nuclear test could be carried out at Kim Jong-un's wish."
Democratic Party of Korea Rep. Kim Byung-kee, also on the Intelligence Committee, said in return for the dispatch of troops, Russia is believed to have rewarded North Korea with military and financial assistance.
"North Korea has provided Russia with missiles and artillery shells worth billions of dollars on top of troops and workers," Kim said, citing the NIS. "North Korea is currently in talks with Russia for its help in modernizing its tourism and energy industries. Additionally, North Korea is also believed to be getting military technologies related to reconnaissance satellies, drones and antiaircraft missiles."
Lee added that North Korea appeared to be cementing the status of Kim Ju-ae, the North Korean leader's underage daughter, as the regime's heir apparent, accompanying her father at major events after a prolonged hiatus from the public eye.
arin@heraldcorp.com
