Around 600 North Korean soldiers are believed to have died while fighting alongside Russian forces in the war against Ukraine, with more than 4000 others reportedly injured, South Korea’s intelligence agency informed lawmakers on Wednesday. The National Intelligence Service (NIS) shared this assessment during a private session with the National Assembly’s intelligence committee.

According to lawmakers Lee Seong-kweun from the People Power Party and Kim Byung-kee of the Democratic Party, the NIS reported that approximately 15,000 North Korean troops have been sent to Russia, with total casualties estimated at around 4700, including 600 fatalities.