Pyongyang's monthly troop losses could skyrocket if it deploys more troops to the frontlines in Kursk and continues sustaining high losses.

Ukranian reports indicate that the North Korean soldiers previously encountered have withdrawn from the frontline. This report is limited to the Kursk region, where a large part of the recent fighting has been going on.

Ukrainian special forces fighting in Russia's western Kursk region have told the BBC they have not seen any North Korean troops there for the past three weeks. A spokesman said it was likely they had pulled out after suffering heavy losses.

Although reports suggest North Korean soldiers have suffered heavy losses fighting Ukrainian forces, South Korea's military suspects reinforcements are coming.