By DAYO ADESULU with Agency Reports
Reports Emerge of Thousands of North Korean Troops Fighting for Russia in Exchange for Military Assistance
Heavy Casualties Among North Korean Troops in Ukraine
Around 300 North Korean soldiers have been killed, and 2,700 wounded, fighting alongside Russian forces in the war against Ukraine, according to a South Korean lawmaker citing information from Seoul’s National Intelligence Service (NIS).
South Korea previously alleged that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un had deployed over 10,000 troops as “cannon fodder” in exchange for Russian technical assistance for Pyongyang’s weapons and satellite programs.
“The deployment of North Korean troops has expanded to Russia’s Kursk region, with casualties among their forces surpassing 3,000,” said Lee Seong-kweun, a South Korean lawmaker, after an intelligence briefing.
Captured North Korean Soldiers Reveal Shocking Details
Ukraine recently captured two North Korean soldiers, with President Volodymyr Zelensky releasing video footage of their interrogation. One soldier reportedly claimed he had been deceived into thinking he was undergoing training, while another expressed a desire to live in Ukraine if given the chance.
“Ukraine is ready to hand over Kim Jong Un’s soldiers if an exchange for our captives in Russia can be organized,” said Zelensky.
South Korean intelligence revealed that North Korean soldiers were pressured to kill themselves or self-detonate to avoid capture. Memos found on deceased soldiers instructed them to choose suicide over surrender.
One captured soldier reportedly shouted “General Kim Jong Un” and attempted to detonate a grenade before being neutralized.
Elite Forces Used as Cannon Fodder
The deployed troops, believed to be from North Korea’s elite Storm Corps, displayed “a lack of understanding of modern warfare,” according to the NIS. Their misuse in Russia’s conflict has contributed to high casualty rates.
Some soldiers reportedly sought amnesty or party membership in North Korea, hoping to improve their status by participating in the conflict.
Military Collaboration Between North Korea and Russia
The deployment underscores the deepening military cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. South Korea, the United States, and Ukraine have accused North Korea of sending troops to bolster Russia’s manpower.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated during a recent visit to Seoul that Russia might be expanding space cooperation with North Korea in exchange for troop contributions. Blinken also warned that Moscow might formally recognize North Korea as a nuclear power.
Neither Russia nor North Korea has publicly acknowledged the deployment of North Korean forces.
Global Reactions and Humanitarian Concerns
The presence of North Korean troops in Ukraine raises humanitarian and geopolitical concerns. Zelensky suggested that options might be available for captured soldiers unwilling to return to North Korea, sparking speculation about asylum possibilities.
As the war continues, the global community watches closely, with fears of escalating military cooperation between Russia and North Korea adding another dimension to the conflict.
