This is almost certainly primarily due to heavy losses sustained during attacks against Ukrainian-held positions.” Reports differ on the scale of the losses but one put them as high as 4,000 North Korean soldiers killed or wounded.

Thousands of North Korean troops helped Russia regain some of its territory in the Kursk region following Ukraine's counterattack, but the Russian army is now using them less on the front line and have pulled some back.

South Korea's spy agency says that North Korean forces have suffered more than 3,000 casualties while fighting alongside Russian troops.

South Korea's National Intelligence Service has reportedly confirmed that North Korea has withdrawn its troops from the frontline in Russia's Kursk region after entering the war late last year