Military authorities noted on the 27th that North Korea, after sending an additional 3,000 troops to Russia earlier this year, continues to provide missile and artillery support.

According to the North Korean military trends released by the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) that day, the total number of North Korean troops deployed to Russia is over 11,000. Among them, approximately 4,000 casualties have been identified. The JCS views the 3,000 troops sent earlier this year as a reinforcement.

The North Korean military is repairing the upper and lower parts of the barbed wire fence along the eastern front. /Courtesy of Joint Chiefs of Staff
The North Korean military is repairing the upper and lower parts of the barbed wire fence along the eastern front. /Courtesy of Joint Chiefs of Staff

The JCS assessed that North Korea continues to provide not only troops but also missiles, artillery equipment, and ammunition. It has been identified that more than 220 artillery pieces, including 170 mm self-propelled guns and 240 mm multiple launch rocket systems, as well as short-range ballistic missiles (SRBM), have been supplied. A JCS official explained, "This could increase depending on the situation in the theater."

The operations in the frontline area, which had been temporarily suspended for winter training at the end of last year, have resumed. However, it was determined that multiple casualties occurred due to a landmine explosion while continuing to strengthen barbed-wire fences. This incident marks the first case of the year following over 20 explosions last year. The JCS evaluated that hasty operations were carried out without a prepared replacement troop.

The demolition of 11 transmission towers along the Gyeongui Line in the North Korean area within the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) has been completed. However, North Korea has not demolished the first transmission tower north of the Military Demarcation Line (MDL), and as expected by the South Korean military, one surveillance closed-circuit camera (CCTV) has been installed.

The North Korean military is evacuating the mine explosion casualties on a stretcher along the eastern front. /Courtesy of Joint Chiefs of Staff

The JCS conveyed, "While this does not pose a direct threat to our defense operations, it could expose operational activities to the North Korean military, so we are maintaining alert operations and readiness measures in consideration of this." It was also noted that activities to remove materials from the Comprehensive Support Center building in the Kaesong Industrial Complex are ongoing.

Regarding North Korea's series of statements following the announcement of its "ultra-hardline response strategy" toward the United States, the JCS evaluated this as a strategy to raise its bargaining chip. In the process, four missile launches have been publicly disclosed this year. While this is a decrease compared to 2024's corresponding period (seven launches), the JCS reported that it is keeping a close watch on the potential for hypersonic missile launches.

Currently, no imminent signs of additional missile launches from military reconnaissance satellites have been identified.

Additionally, due to the low level of training among the North Korean military, the JCS is attributing this to the construction of local factories, operations in contact areas, preparations for troop deployment to Russia, and energy shortages.