North Korea to Increase Military Support for Russia

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) reports that North Korea is preparing to send additional troops and military equipment, including kamikaze drones, to support Russia in the Ukraine war. North Korea has already supplied 240mm rocket launchers and 170mm self-propelled howitzers to Russia and is anticipated to produce more suicide drones following a recent test overseen by Kim Jong Un. There are currently around 12,000 North Korean troops in Russia, with at least 1,100 reported casualties. The JCS highlighted that North Korea's military modernization efforts and its growing ties with Moscow could pose increased threats to South Korea. Furthermore, the North is reportedly enhancing its military capabilities amid ongoing global tensions. This escalation follows a broader context of military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, raising concerns among regional allies.