South Korean intelligence reveals when DPRK soldiers "disappeared" from the front line in Kursk region: they do not take part in battles

The North Korean troops deployed to support Russia's war against Ukraine have apparently not participated in the fighting in Kursk since mid-January. One of the reasons for their "disappearance" is the heavy losses: allegedly, 300 were killed and about 2,700 were wounded.

This was reported by the National Intelligence Service of South Korea (NIS) on Tuesday, February 4. The agency released its own intelligence, confirming a recent report by The New York Times that DPRK soldiers were withdrawn from the front line in mid-January due to heavy losses, Yonhap writes.

The American newspaper cited US and Ukrainian officials.

"Since mid-January, there has been no sign of North Korean troops stationed in the Kursk area participating in combat operations, " the NIS said.

South Korean intelligence also echoed media reports, saying that one of the reasons for the absence of North Korean troops is likely to be heavy losses.

At the same time, the NIS added that work is underway to determine the exact reason.

According to Seoul's estimates, Pyongyang sent about 11,000 soldiers to support Russia in its war against Ukraine. About 300 of them were killed and about 2700 were injured.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, on February 3, the Armed Forces of Ukraine said that currently, no large human waves of the DPRK army are recorded in the Kursk region. Ukrainian defenders are on the defensive, managing to repel attacks and hold their positions.

One of the occupiers' captives said that in the village of Makhnovka in the Kursk region he saw a lot of liquidated soldiers from North Korea. He was supposed to hold a fortified area there with other occupiers, but was captured by the Ukrainian army.

On January 31, The New York Times reported that North Koreans had not been seen on the battlefield in the Kursk region for about two weeks. According to the newspaper, they were withdrawn from the front line after suffering heavy losses and because of disorganization.

On January 27, the British TV channel Sky News reported, citing the Ukrainian military, that the DPRK military had temporarily retreated in the Kursk region. They initially did not realize the threat from UAVs and artillery, making them easy targets, and refused to surrender. Coordination with the Russian military was also complicated by the language barrier.

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