300 North Korean Soldiers Gone, 2,700 Wounded in Ukraine Conflict, Says South Korea
By DAYO ADESULU with Agency Report
Seoul Accuses Pyongyang of Sending Troops to Support Russia’s War Effort
Rising North Korean Casualties in Ukraine
South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) has reported that 300 North Korean soldiers have been killed and 2,700 wounded while fighting in Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine. These revelations were shared by South Korean lawmaker Lee Seong-kweun, citing intelligence from Seoul’s spy agency.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is alleged to have deployed over 10,000 soldiers to Russia in exchange for technical assistance with Pyongyang’s weapons and satellite programs, according to previous claims by Seoul.
Captured North Korean Soldiers Speak Out
Over the weekend, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the capture of two North Korean soldiers. Video footage released by Kyiv shows the wounded soldiers being interrogated, with one stating he believed he was sent for training rather than combat.
Zelensky proposed a prisoner swap, offering to return the North Korean soldiers in exchange for Ukrainian captives held by Russia.
“Ukraine is ready to hand over Kim Jong Un’s soldiers to him if he can organize their exchange for our warriors,” Zelensky said, adding that there are likely more North Korean soldiers among Russian ranks to be captured.
Elite Soldiers with Grim Orders
The captured soldiers reportedly belong to North Korea’s elite Storm Corps, known for its strict discipline. Intelligence suggests these troops are under orders to commit suicide or self-detonate rather than be captured.
Lawmaker Lee Seong-kweun revealed that memos found on deceased soldiers showed North Korean authorities pressured them to take their own lives if faced with capture.
“One soldier attempted to detonate a grenade while shouting ‘General Kim Jong Un’ before being shot and killed,” Lee said.
Inexperience in Modern Warfare
The NIS analysis highlights a significant lack of modern warfare understanding among the North Korean troops, contributing to their high casualty rates.
Russia is allegedly using these soldiers as “cannon fodder,” with the deployment expanding to regions such as Kursk, Lee noted.
Geopolitical Implications
The deployment of North Korean troops has raised international concerns. The United States, Ukraine, and South Korea accuse Pyongyang of strengthening military ties with Moscow, further complicating global diplomatic efforts.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently stated that Russia is 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.
Humanitarian Concerns and Future Dialogues
As more North Korean soldiers are captured, Zelensky suggested potential pathways for those who refuse to return to Pyongyang, including asylum in Ukraine or other nations.
The geopolitical chessboard could shift further as speculation grows about a potential Kim Jong Un visit to Russia in early 2025. Meanwhile, Ukraine continues its fight, capturing international attention with the ongoing plight of North Korean soldiers forced into a conflict they may not fully understand.
