Seoul: North Korean troops deployed to Russia have been assessed as joining Moscow's airborne brigade and marine corps, with some soldiers having already entered combat, as reported by South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS) to lawmakers. According to Yonhap News Agency, the NIS presented this assessment during a closed-door meeting with the parliamentary Intelligence Committee. The meeting was attended by People Power Party Rep. Lee Seong-kweun and Democratic Party Rep. Park Sun-won. The agency revealed that North Korean troops were relocated to Kursk in late October after completing local adjustment training in northeastern Russia. The NIS informed lawmakers that some North Korean troops are currently undergoing training in tactics and drone response, while others have been assessed to have participated in combat. The agency also mentioned the likelihood of casualties among these North Korean forces and stated that efforts are ongoing to determine the specifics of the combat situations and the e xtent of the damage. Both Seoul and Washington have previously indicated that North Korean troops, stationed in Russia's western front-line Kursk region, have begun engaging in combat operations against Ukrainian forces. This development has raised concerns about the potential for the conflict to broaden and impact security in Europe and the Indo-Pacific region. The NIS estimated the size of the North Korean troop deployment to be between 12,000 and 15,000, with the possibility of additional deployments at Russia's request. The prolongation of the war could lead to increased casualties among the troops and potentially prompt Russian President Vladimir Putin to request further deployments from North Korea. There are also fears that the continuation of the war might increase Russia's dependence on North Korea, which could result in Moscow transferring more advanced weapon technology to the North. The NIS emphasized that an early resolution to the conflict would be preferable. Additionally, the NIS confirmed North Korea's exports of long-range artillery to Russia, including 170 mm self-propelled howitzers and 240 mm multiple rocket launchers. North Korea has previously been reported to have shipped artillery shells and short-range ballistic missiles to Russia. The agency also noted that North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui may have engaged in a "very important and sensitive" discussion with Russian President Vladimir Putin during her visit to Russia in early November, suggesting that it was not merely a courtesy meeting. During her visit, Choe had a surprise meeting with Putin on November 4, highlighting the growing closeness between the two countries amid North Korea's deployment of troops to Russia. Furthermore, the NIS suggested the potential for North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to visit Russia, indicating a deepening of ties between the two nations.