North Korea increases troop deployment to Russia

North Korea has sent more troops to Russia and redeployed some to the Kursk frontline, according to South Korea's spy agency. This follows reports that North Korean soldiers had not engaged in combat since mid-January. Last year, over 10,000 North Korean soldiers were sent to assist Russia against Ukraine. South Korean intelligence noted that some troops had been withdrawn due to heavy losses, but recent assessments indicate new deployments. Neither Russia nor North Korea has confirmed these troop movements. The two countries signed a mutual defense agreement during a visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin to North Korea last year.