The war in Ukraine and North Korea’s role: 300 dead in Pyongyang’s ranks

North Korea sends soldiers to help Russia in the Ukrainian conflict. Casualties exceed 3,000 as shocking details emerge from confessions of captured prisoners

About 300 North Korean soldiers were killed in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, according to South Korean MP Lee Seong-kweun during a briefing by the South Korean Intelligence Service (NIS). Pyongyang is accused by Ukraine, the US and South Korea of sending more than 10,000 soldiers to support Russian forces in their invasion. Lee stated that the total number of North Korean casualties exceeds 3,000, including about 300 dead and 2,700 wounded. This figure is in line with claims made by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who in December had estimated about 3,000 North Korean soldiers killed or wounded, although Seoul initially estimated the tally at 1,000.

Pressure and suicides among North Korean soldiers

Evidence from the investigation into the dead North Korean soldiers reveals that the authorities in Pyongyang exerted strong pressure on the soldiers to commit suicide, sometimes using extreme methods such as blowing themselves up before being captured by Ukrainian forces. These details were confirmed by notes found on the bodies of the fallen soldiers. This tragic aspect sheds further light on the level of control and coercion the North Korean regime exerts over its military.

The capture of the North Korean soldiers and their role in the war

The capture of two North Korean soldiers by Ukrainian forces represents a crucial point in understanding Pyongyang’s involvement in the conflict. According to President Zelensky, who announced his intention to allow journalists to meet with them, these prisoners may offer a rare insight into North Korea’s role in the Russian war. One of the captured soldiers claimed during interrogation that he had been deceived into believing that he had been sent for simple training, and not to fight against Ukraine.

The two soldiers were taken prisoner in Russia’s Kursk region, an area marked by intense fighting since Ukraine launched a cross-border attack five months ago. A leaked video shows the recovery of one of the prisoners by Ukrainian soldiers in a snowy forest, who was later transported to Kiev for medical treatment. Zelensky praised the Ukrainian paratroopers and special forces who carried out the operation.

Executions and suppression of wounded North Korean soldiers

President Zelensky also revealed that the wounded North Korean soldiers were executed by Russian forces and their North Korean superiors to erase all traces of their involvement in the conflict. The two captured prisoners, who do not speak foreign languages, had been given false documents and assigned Russian names. The Ukrainian Intelligence Service (SBU) confirmed that South Korea, through the NIS, provided assistance during the interrogations, reinforcing the belief that the world should recognise the strong military support Russia is receiving from Pyongyang.

Exchange proposal and the Kremlin’s reaction

Zelensky stated that Ukraine is willing to return captured North Korean soldiers, offering Kim Jong-un a mediation opportunity in exchange for the release of Ukrainian prisoners held in Russia. This proposal could change the relationship between Kim Jong-un and Vladimir Putin, transforming the North Korean leader from a Kremlin ally to a potential mediator in the conflict.

However, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov responded cautiously to these statements, saying that ‘we cannot comment in any way’ on Zelensky’s offer. He added that Moscow has never confirmed or denied the presence of North Korean troops in the Kursk region, leaving the whole issue in a grey area from the official point of view.

Conflicts in Donetsk and Ukrainian attacks in the Belgorod region

Meanwhile, the war continues on several fronts. Russian forces claimed a new advance in eastern Ukraine, claiming to have captured the Peschanoe locality in Donetsk. According to the Russian Defence Minister, this victory was the result of ‘decisive actions’. However, there is still no confirmation from the Ukrainian side. The Russians also claim that the Ukrainian army suffered more than 615 losses in this region.

In parallel, Ukraine launched an attack on seven districts in the Russian region of Belgorod, using 53 drones. The governor of the region, Vyacheslav Gladkov, reported that three civilians were injured in the Grayvoronsky municipal district, and several villages, including Gorkovsky and Bezymeno, were hit, causing damage to houses and vehicles.

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