North Korean Soldiers Suffer Heavy Casualties in Russia’s War against Ukraine
Casualties Mount as North Korean Troops Fight in Ukraine
Around 300 North Korean soldiers have been killed and 2,700 injured while fighting in Russia’s war against Ukraine, a South Korean lawmaker said on Monday, citing information from Seoul’s spy agency.
Deployment of North Korean Troops
Seoul has previously claimed that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has sent more than 10,000 soldiers as "cannon fodder" to help Moscow fight Kyiv, in return for Russian technical assistance for Pyongyang’s heavily sanctioned weapons and satellite programs.
Captured North Korean Soldiers
Over the weekend, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Kyiv had captured two North Korean soldiers, releasing video of the injured combatants being interrogated and raising the possibility of a prisoner swap for captured Ukrainian troops.
Casualties and Treatment of North Korean Soldiers
The deployment of North Korean troops to Russia has reportedly expanded to include the Kursk region, with estimates suggesting that casualties among North Korean forces have surpassed 3,000, according to lawmaker Lee Seong-kweun. This includes approximately 300 deaths and 2,700 injuries, Lee said, after a briefing from Seoul’s National Intelligence Service.
The soldiers, reportedly from North Korea’s elite Storm Corps, have been ordered to kill themselves rather than be taken prisoner, Lee said. Notably, memos found on deceased soldiers indicate that the North Korean authorities pressured them to commit suicide or self-detonate before capture, he added.
Soldiers’ Motivations
Some of the soldiers had been granted "amnesty" or wanted to join the Workers’ Party of North Korea, hoping to improve their lot by fighting, Lee said. One North Korean soldier who was about to be captured shouted "General Kim Jong Un" and attempted to detonate a grenade, Lee said, adding that he was shot and killed.
Analysis of North Korean Soldiers’ Performance
The NIS analysis also revealed that the North Korean soldiers have "a lack of understanding of modern warfare," and are being used by Russia in a manner leading to "the high number of casualties," the lawmaker said.
Prisoner Swap Possibility
Ukraine, the United States, and South Korea have accused nuclear-armed North Korea of sending more than 10,000 soldiers to help bolster Russian forces. Neither Moscow nor Pyongyang has acknowledged that North Koreans have been deployed to fight against Ukraine.
Conclusion
The situation highlights the complexities and risks of North Korea’s military cooperation with Russia, as well as the devastating consequences of war for those involved.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many North Korean soldiers have been killed in the conflict?
A: Approximately 300
Q: How many North Korean soldiers have been injured in the conflict?
A: 2,700
Q: Why are North Korean soldiers being sent to fight in Ukraine?
A: To help bolster Russian forces in exchange for technical assistance for Pyongyang’s heavily sanctioned weapons and satellite programs.
Q: What is the motivation behind the North Korean soldiers’ deployment?
A: Some soldiers were granted "amnesty" or wanted to join the Workers’ Party of North Korea, hoping to improve their lot by fighting. Others were ordered to fight, with no clear understanding of the conflict’s purpose or consequences.