In a shocking revelation, a South Korean lawmaker stated that approximately 300 North Korean soldiers have been killed while fighting for Russia in its ongoing war against Ukraine. The details, provided by Seoul’s National Intelligence Service (NIS), also show that 2,700 soldiers have been wounded during the conflict, which has now claimed the lives of many North Korean troops.
According to the lawmaker, Lee Seong-kweun, these soldiers were reportedly sent by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to assist Russian forces, with Seoul estimating over 10,000 troops sent to Russia as “cannon fodder.” In return, Moscow has reportedly provided Pyongyang with technical assistance for its weapons and satellite programs, amid heavy international sanctions on North Korea.
This comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed that Kyiv had captured two North Korean soldiers during the weekend. In a video shared by the Ukrainian government, the soldiers, who appeared injured, were interrogated and the possibility of a prisoner swap was discussed, with Ukraine potentially trading them for its own captured soldiers held in Russia.
Lee, who spoke to reporters after a briefing from the NIS, revealed that North Korean troops have been deployed in various regions in Russia, including the Kursk region, and estimates suggest the casualties among North Korean soldiers have surpassed 3,000. The soldiers, many of whom are from North Korea’s elite Storm Corps, were reportedly given orders to take their own lives rather than be taken captive, with some soldiers even attempting suicide or self-detonation when faced with capture. One soldier, when about to be captured, allegedly shouted “General Kim Jong Un” and tried to detonate a grenade, but was shot and killed.
The high number of casualties has been attributed to the soldiers’ lack of understanding of modern warfare tactics, which has made them highly vulnerable on the battlefield. Lee also pointed out that some North Korean soldiers were motivated by the prospect of “amnesty” or hoped to join the ruling Workers’ Party in exchange for their service in the conflict.
The NIS’s findings come amid mounting concerns over North Korea’s military ties with Russia. The two countries have been increasing their military cooperation since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, with North Korea allegedly sending soldiers to assist Russian forces. The United States, South Korea, and Ukraine have all condemned this move, with Washington accusing Moscow and Pyongyang of using this collaboration as a means to bolster each other’s military capabilities.
In a social media post over the weekend, President Zelensky offered to exchange the two captured North Korean soldiers for Ukrainian prisoners held in Russia. He added that there would likely be more North Korean soldiers captured by Ukrainian forces in the future, but for those who do not wish to return to North Korea, “other options may be available.”
In addition to the ongoing conflict, the United States believes that Russia is expanding its cooperation with North Korea in the areas of space and military technology. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently commented on Russia’s growing ties with Pyongyang, stating that Russia might soon formally recognize North Korea as a nuclear power.
As the situation unfolds, both sides continue to point to the tragic human cost of the war, with North Korean soldiers fighting in a foreign conflict, seemingly unaware of the devastating consequences.
Sources By Agencies