The National Intelligence Service noted that North Korea may send additional troops to Russia, with the timing expected as early as July to August of this year.
The National Intelligence Service reported this while attending the Intelligence Committee in the National Assembly on the 26th, according to the ruling and opposition party secretaries, Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Park Sun-won and People Power Party lawmaker Lee Seong-gwon. Lawmaker Lee noted that the expectation was based on Secretary of Russia's Security Council Sergey Shoigu's visit to North Korea and indications of troop selection for dispatch within North Korea.
Secretary Shoigu visited North Korea on the 17th and met with Kim Jong Un, and it has been reported that he agreed to send 6,000 North Korean engineering and military construction personnel to the Kursk region afterward.
During the first troop dispatch in November of last year, when North Korea sent over 11,000 combat troops to Russia, Secretary Shoigu had previously visited North Korea in October of last year to agree to the deployment. The National Intelligence Service estimates that, considering the preparation period between Secretary Shoigu's visit and the actual dispatch was about a month, the additional troop dispatch is expected in July to August.
The National Intelligence Service also analyzed that North Korea has supported more than 10 million artillery shells, missiles, and long-range artillery systems to Russia, and in return, received military consultation and economic cooperation from Russia, including air defense missiles, electronic jamming equipment, space launch vehicle engines, drones, and improvements in missile guidance capabilities.
The National Intelligence Service assessed that North Korea's support of weapons and troops has significantly contributed to Russia's operational efforts in the war, particularly in the Ukraine front, including the Kursk recapture operation. It also added that 81% of four regions—Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, and Luhansk—are currently under Russian control.
Additionally, regarding the recent situation in the Middle East, the National Intelligence Service evaluated, "Israel and Iran agreed to an abrupt ceasefire 12 days after their armed conflict, but the hostility between both sides remains high, making it likely that hostilities could resume at any time."
In response, the National Intelligence Service stated that it is enhancing monitoring of the Strait of Hormuz and major ports, as well as preparing measures for the protection of expatriates. This report marks the first briefing on intelligence issues since the appointment of the new National Intelligence Service Chief Lee Jong-seok.