Kim Jong Un's military has ‘hugely improved' and is now a much greater threat to South Korea and US troops based there after six months of fighting against Ukraine
North Korea has used the conflict as a testing ground to refine its combat strategies, according to an intelligence assessment shared with The Times.
Experts believe the country's army now poses a much greater threat to South Korea and the US troops stationed there, having honed the accuracy of its ballistic missiles, developed drone warfare capabilities and accelerated modern arms production.
North Korea's comprehensive military alliance with the Kremlin was secured by Kim Jong-un offering 'unconditional support' to Russia during a visit by Sergey Lavrov, the foreign minister, over the weekend.
Lavrov was seen hugging Kim as he thanked him for sending troops to the Ukraine war.
According to the assessment prepared by the HUR, Ukraine's military intelligence arm, 'co-operation with Russia has offered North Korea broad opportunities to modernise its armed forces.'
The statement added that North Korea's involvement in the war has allowed it to gain 'real experience in modern warfare, develop nuclear missile capabilities, establish production of advanced weapon systems, strengthen its naval forces, and enhance intelligence-gathering capabilities.'
It said the country's cooperation with Russia 'significantly increases the threat to the US and its regional allies - South Korea and Japan.'
The report states it is 'highly likely' that North Korea's readiness to use military force in its foreign policy will increase in the future.
It said this is down to the 'lack of a strong response' from from the US and its allies to the country sending troops to fight Ukraine.
North Korea first confirmed it has soldiers fighting alongside the Russians in Ukraine in April.
At least 9,500 North Korean troops have reportedly been used in 'human wave' attacks on Ukrainian paratroopers in Russia's Kursk region
Pyongyang will send 1,000 sappers and 5,000 military construction workers to help secure the Kursk after Ukrainian troops were driven back, Sergei Shoigu, secretary of Russia's Security Council, announced last month.
About 4,000 North Korean troops have already been killed or wounded in the conflict, the intelligence report says.
The HUR expects 30,000 more North Korean troops to be deployed in the coming months.
The report states it is 'highly likely' that North Korea's readiness to use military force in its foreign policy will increase in the future and said this is down to the 'lack of a strong response' to the country sending troops to fight Ukraine. Pictured: Ukrainian firefighters work to extinguish a fire following mass Russian strikes in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv
According to the assessment prepared by the HUR, Ukraine's military intelligence arm, 'co-operation with Russia has offered North Korea broad opportunities to modernise its armed forces.' Pictured: The aftermath of an attack in Lviv
It comes after Russia's foreign minister was seen hugging Kim Jong Un on Saturday as he expressed his gratitude to the dictator for sending troops to the Ukraine war.
Speaking in Wonsan, a glitzy new beach resort in North Korea, Sergey Lavrov also encouraged his fellow Russians to visit the rogue state on holiday.
Relations between North Korea and Russia have flourished in recent years with Kim supplying troops and ammunition to Ukraine's frontlines in return for economic and military help.
This has raised concerns in the West that Russia might also send sensitive technologies to North Korea that could increase the danger of its nuclear program.
As well as a meeting with Kim, foreign minister Lavrov also held talks today with his North Korean counterpart Choe Son Hui.
During their meeting, Choe reiterated that North Korea 'unconditionally' supports Russia's fight against Ukraine.
Lavrov, meanwhile, repeated Russia's gratitude for the contribution that North Korean troops made in efforts to repel a Ukrainian incursion into Russia's Kursk region.
Wonsan city, the meeting venue, is where North Korea recently opened a mammoth beach resort that it says can accommodate nearly 20,000 people.
In his comments at the start of his meeting with Choe, Lavrov said that 'I am sure that Russian tourists will be increasingly eager to come here.
'We will do everything we can to facilitate this, creating conditions for this, including air travel,' according to the Russian Foreign Ministry.
The Wonsan-Kalma tourist zone is at the center of Kim's push to boost tourism as a way to improve his country's troubled economy.
However, prospects for the tourist complex aren't clear, as North Korea appears unlikely to fully reopen its borders and embrace Western tourists anytime soon.
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