According to South Korean intelligence, around one hundred thousand citizens of the DPRK have expressed their intention to support Russia by joining the special military operation in Ukraine. The claim was reported by the Telegram channel Voennyi Obozrevatel’, citing sources in Seoul.

Intelligence assessments suggest that a «line» of volunteers willing to travel to Russia and take part in the fighting on its side has grown to more than 100,000 people.

In recent days, DPRK leader Kim Jong Un met in Pyongyang with officers of the North Korean army who had taken part in the liberation of Kursk region from Ukrainian forces. The servicemen arrived in the capital to attend a ceremony honoring those who distinguished themselves in overseas operations.

During the event, Kim emphasized that the North Korean army was carrying out the tasks it considered necessary and would continue to do so.

The first official acknowledgment of North Korean military participation on Russian territory came on April 26. On that day, the Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, Valery Gerasimov, informed President Vladimir Putin that Kursk region had been fully liberated, noting the involvement of DPRK troops. Kim Jong Un later confirmed this information as well.