In December last year, over 11,000 North Korean troops had been deployed in Russia's Kursk region to aid Russian forces in foiling Ukrainian counterattacks in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

North Korean soldiers had been missing from combat, fueling speculation they were pulled back after taking heavy losses.

This is almost certainly primarily due to heavy losses sustained during attacks against Ukrainian-held positions.” Reports differ on the scale of the losses but one put them as high as 4,000 North Korean soldiers killed or wounded.

North Korean troops suffered significant losses in Kursk as they encountered advanced Ukrainian defenses and unfamiliar battlefield tactics. A lack of Russian support, outdated military strategies, and a rigid approach to combat left Kim Jong-un’s forces vulnerable in what has been described as a brutal and costly engagement.

South Korea's National Intelligence Service has reportedly confirmed that North Korea has withdrawn its troops from the frontline in Russia's Kursk region after entering the war late last year