WASHINGTON

North Korean forces fighting alongside Russian troops in Ukraine are experiencing significant number of casualties, with over 1,000 killed or wounded in the last week alone, White House spokesperson John Kirby claimed on Friday.

Speaking to reporters, Kirby detailed the situation in the Kursk region, where North Korean troops have been engaged in what he described as "massed, dismounted assaults" against Ukrainian positions.

"We assess that they resulted in heavy casualties for these North Korean forces," Kirby said, adding that the 1,000 casualties reported occurred within just one week.

“It is clear that Russian and North Korean military leaders are treating these troops as expendable and ordering them on hopeless assaults against Ukrainian defenses,” he added.

He also noted reports of North Korean soldiers choosing to take their own lives rather than surrender to Ukrainian forces. “This is likely out of fear of reprisal against their families in North Korea in the event that they are captured,” Kirby said.

The remarks come as the Biden administration pushes the remaining days in office to bolster Ukraine’s defense capabilities.

Kirby confirmed that an additional security assistance package, including air defense systems, will be announced in the "coming days" to support Ukraine’s efforts to repel Russian and North Korean attacks.

“We remain absolutely committed to ensuring Ukraine has the resources it needs to defend itself,” he said.