South Korea says North Korea preparing more troops for Russia, no imminent deployment

AI digestMimile.ai EditorialAugust 24, 2026 at 07:27 AM

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South Korea says North Korea preparing more troops for Russia, no imminent deployment

South Korea's Defence Ministry said North Korea was continuing preparations for an additional troop deployment to Russia, but had detected no signs that such a deployment was imminent, according to a South Korean lawmaker's office. The assessment came after Kim Yo Jong denied Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's claim that Pyongyang planned to send up to 50,000 more troops to Russia. North Korea has supplied Russia with more than 15 million rounds of artillery ammunition, the ministry estimated.

Key Facts

North Korea is estimated to have supplied Russia with more than 15 million rounds of artillery ammunition, measured in 152-millimetre shell equivalents.
South Korea's Defence Ministry said North Korea was continuing preparations for an additional troop deployment to Russia, but had detected no signs that such a deployment was imminent.
Kim Yo Jong, sister of leader Kim Jong Un, last week denied Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's claim that Pyongyang planned to send up to 50,000 more troops to Russia.
North Korea's Hwasong-12 intermediate-range ballistic missile, capable of reaching the U.S. territory of Guam, was being prepared for operational deployment.
North Korean missiles used in the war may have improved in accuracy through battlefield data, alongside Russian technical advice and component support, according to a South Korean Defense Intelligence Agency assessment.

Troop Deployment Assessment

South Korea's Defence Ministry said North Korea was continuing preparations for an additional troop deployment to Russia, but had detected no signs that such a deployment was imminent, according to a South Korean lawmaker's office. The assessment came after North Korea's Kim Yo Jong, sister of leader Kim Jong Un, last week denied Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's claim that Pyongyang planned to send up to 50,000 more troops to Russia to fight for its ally. The ministry's statement was provided to lawmaker Yu Yong-weon, whose office released the details.

Weapons Supplies and Missile Development

North Korea is estimated to have supplied Russia with more than 15 million rounds of artillery ammunition, measured in 152-millimetre shell equivalents, the ministry said. South Korea's Defence Ministry said North Korea had continued to supply Russia with weapons systems, including short-range ballistic missiles. The lawmaker's office, citing a South Korean Defense Intelligence Agency assessment, said North Korean missiles used in the war may have improved in accuracy through battlefield data, alongside Russian technical advice and component support. The ministry also said the development of some North Korean ballistic missiles and multiple rocket launchers assessed as being intended for use in a conflict with South Korea was nearing completion. North Korea's Hwasong-12 intermediate-range ballistic missile, capable of reaching the U.S. territory of Guam, was being prepared for operational deployment, according to Yu's office. North Korea's intercontinental ballistic missiles have the flight capability to reach the U.S. mainland, but key technologies, including warhead re-entry, have not been verified because all test launches have been conducted on lofted trajectories.

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South Korea says North Korea preparing more troops for Russia, no imminent deployment

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Finance

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South Korea says North Korea preparing more troops for Russia, no imminent deployment

Key Facts

Troop Deployment Assessment

Weapons Supplies and Missile Development

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