The South Korean government says it is imposing sanctions on 15 North Koreans who engaged in illicit cyber activities to raise funds for their totalitarian state.

South Korea’s spy agency said Friday a wounded North Korean soldier who was captured while fighting for Russia against Ukrainian forces has since died from his injuries, the Yonhap news agency reported.

South Korea has sanctioned many individuals for their involvement in crypto theft and support of North Korea's military activities.

Despite their elite status, North Korea's "Storm" troops were ill-prepared for the war, South Korea's National Intelligence Service said.

White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said North Korean units had been carrying out "human wave" attacks against Ukrainian positions.

The impeachment of Han Duck-soo, acting president since Yoon was impeached on Dec. 14 for declaring martial law, has thrown South Korea's once-vibrant democratic success story into uncharted territory.

A TV screen shows an image of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un with his daughter during a news program at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023. (AP Photo/Lee ...

A deepening political crisis in South Korea has not diminished the military readiness of 28,500 troops stationed in the Asian state, a U.S. official said on Friday, but Washington is closely monitoring the situation.

"Through various sources of information and intelligence, we assess that North Korean troops who have recently engaged in combat with Ukrainian forces have suffered around 1,100 casualties," the JCS said in a statement.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un held a policy-setting key meeting of the country's ruling party last week ahead of the new year, state media KCNA reported on Sunday.

North Korea’s involvement could not only prompt a more direct South Korean involvement but may also accelerate decisions regarding intervention in various European capitals.