NIS on US Report of North Korean Military Casualties: "Possibility of Truth, Under Verification"

The National Intelligence Service (NIS) stated on the 17th that it has "obtained related intelligence from multiple sources" regarding the U.S. government's announcement that there have been casualties among North Korean troops deployed to the Russia-Ukraine war, and is "verifying the possibility that it is true."

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The U.S. government announced on the 16th (local time) that North Korean troops deployed to Russia engaged in combat with Ukrainian forces in Kursk, Russia, resulting in casualties. Pentagon spokesperson Pat Ryder said at a briefing that day, "We assess that North Korean troops participated in combat alongside Russian forces in Kursk," adding, "There are signs that North Korean casualties have occurred."

This is the first time U.S. authorities have officially confirmed North Korean troops' engagement and casualties. Although Ryder did not provide detailed information on the number of North Korean casualties, he stated that North Korean troops were deployed in the battle last week.

The NIS had previously stated on the 24th of last month regarding foreign reports of North Korean casualties, "We have specific intelligence indicating that North Korean casualties have occurred and are closely monitoring the situation."

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