North Korea isolates families of soldiers sent to Russia, conceals deployment domestically

South Korea’s intelligence agency has revealed that North Korea has deployed more than 3,000 troops to Russia by 23 October, with plans to increase this number to approximately 10,000 in December, Yonhap News Agency reports. The agency says North Korean authorities are implementing strict control measures, including collective relocation and isolation of the deployed soldiers’ families. While the deployment is not being officially announced within North Korea, information is gradually spreading among the population, with reports of “selected soldiers’ families being visibly distressed.”

According to briefings at South Korea’s National Assembly by National Intelligence Service (NIS) Director Cho Tae-yong on 23 October, the initial deployment of 1,500 North Korean troops took place between 8-13 October, followed by an additional 1,500 soldiers, Yonhap reports.

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The NIS informed that the deployed troops are currently not in combat zones but are undergoing adaptation at various training facilities across Russia, where they receive specialized training in military equipment operation and drone control.

A large-scale recruitment of Korean interpreters from within the Russian military has also been reportedly identified.

“The Russian military instructors assess that while the North Korean troops show excellent physical fitness and morale, they lack understanding of modern warfare including drone attacks, and expect high casualties if deployed to the frontline,” the report says.

Russia is reportedly paying approximately $2,000 per soldier monthly, Yonhap reports. This stands in stark contrast to the average monthly salary in North Korea, which was estimated at $1-3 as of 2022, RFE/RL noted, suggesting that “probably most of the money doesn’t reach the North Korean military and their families and stays with the state.”

The NIS assessed that the deployment discussions began following a “comprehensive strategic partnership treaty” signed between North Korea and Russia in June, which included provisions for immediate military assistance in wartime. Final deployment procedures were reportedly initiated after Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu’s visit to North Korea last month.

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