North Korean Generals and Troops Potentially Move to Russian Front Line.

Seoul: Some North Korean generals and troops sent to Russia to support Moscow's war in Ukraine might have moved to the battlefield zones, South Korea's spy agency told lawmakers Tuesday. The National Intelligence Service (NIS) shared the information with lawmakers during a closed-door audit of the parliamentary intelligence committee, according to Rep. Lee Seong-Kweun of the ruling People Power Party and Rep. Park Sun-won of the main opposition Democratic Party. According to Yonhap News Agency, the NIS reported ongoing troop mobilization between North Korea and Russia. The agency is investigating the possibility of deploying North Korean personnel, including high-ranking military officials, to the front lines. They noted that the Russian military is teaching over 100 military terms in Russian to North Korean soldiers but acknowledged challenges in communication due to language barriers. The NIS also assessed a Russian aircraft traveling between Moscow and Pyongyang on October 23-24, suggesting it likely car ried key Russian security officials involved in the North's troop deployment. Regarding North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui's recent visit to Russia, the NIS believes she discussed additional deployments and compensation arrangements for North Korea's military support. The spy agency highlighted the potential for North Korean provocations, such as launching hypersonic intermediate-range ballistic missiles or intercontinental ballistic missiles. With technological cooperation and parts from Russia, North Korea seems prepared to launch a military reconnaissance satellite, a mission it previously failed in May. The NIS is closely monitoring the possibility of North Korea conducting its seventh nuclear test following the U.S. presidential elections. Furthermore, the NIS reported that approximately 4,000 North Korean workers were sent to Russia this year. On Monday, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) confirmed the deployment of North Korean troops to Russia's western front-line Kursk region. Th is development has raised concerns about escalating the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.