A South Korean lawmaker has reported that estimates indicate "more than 100" North Korean soldiers have been killed in Ukraine in December while fighting alongside the Russian army in its war against Ukraine. This comes as an independent weapons expert stated that Pyongyang is "increasing the pace of missile production and transfer to Russia.

Lawmaker Lee Seung-kwon, following a briefing by a National Intelligence Service official to parliamentarians, said, "In December, North Korean soldiers participated in actual combat, during which at least 100 were killed.

According to AFP, the lawmaker added, "The intelligence agency also stated that nearly a thousand were wounded" among the North Korean forces while fighting Ukrainian troops.

The lawmaker quoted the intelligence official as saying that this high number of casualties among North Korean forces is due to the battlefield being an unfamiliar environment for North Korean forces, which are being used as front-line assault units that can be sacrificed, and the lack of capabilities to counter drone attacks.