North Korean Soldiers in Russia: Suicides, Loyalty, and Extreme Sacrifice in Ukraine War
According to Reuters, Ukrainian forces recently found more than a dozen dead North Korean soldiers after a battle in Russia’s snowy Kursk region. When they approached one of the wounded soldiers, he blew himself up with a grenade. Fortunately, the Ukrainian soldiers weren’t injured, as described by Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces on social media. Reuters could not verify the incident independently.
This event is part of growing evidence that some North Korean soldiers fighting alongside Russia are resorting to extreme actions, including suicide, to avoid capture. Reuters reports that former North Korean soldier Kim, who defected to South Korea in 2022, explained that these troops are brainwashed and willing to die for their leader, Kim Jong Un. Kim shared with Reuters that soldiers sent to Russia are trained to prioritize loyalty over life, believing that being captured would mean betrayal.
Ukraine and its Western allies believe about 11,000 North Korean soldiers are fighting in Russia, especially in the Kursk region. Kyiv claims that more than 3,000 of these troops have been killed or wounded. Reuters further notes that North Korea’s mission to the United Nations hasn’t responded to requests for comments on these reports. While both Russia and North Korea initially dismissed these claims as “fake news,” Russian President Vladimir Putin later did not deny the presence of North Korean soldiers.
Adding to the evidence, Ukraine recently shared videos of two captured North Korean soldiers. Reuters reported that one of the prisoners said he wanted to stay in Ukraine, while the other wished to return to North Korea. President Zelenskiy later offered to send the captured soldiers back to Kim Jong Un in exchange for Ukrainian prisoners held by Russia.
As reported by Reuters, a South Korean lawmaker briefed by the country’s spy agency revealed that these North Korean troops are struggling in modern warfare, particularly against drone attacks, and are possibly being used as expendable fighters by Russia. Even more concerning, there are reports that the soldiers are ordered to commit suicide if they are about to be captured.
A defence analyst, Yang Uk, told Reuters that for these soldiers, suicide isn’t just about loyalty—it’s also a way to protect their families back home. He explained that if a soldier is captured, their family may suffer severe punishment. For many, death is seen as the only honorable way out.
In another statement shared by Reuters, Kim, the North Korean defector, explained that soldiers are taught to save a bullet for themselves in case of capture. He said, “Becoming a prisoner means treason. If you’re caught, you’re a traitor. That’s why they’re told to leave one last bullet for themselves.”
This disturbing reality sheds light on how deeply propaganda and fear control North Korean soldiers, even on a foreign battlefield far from home.
Reuters’ ongoing investigation into these soldiers’ extreme actions provides a unique glimpse into their mindset and the challenges Ukraine faces in this complex war.
Credit : Reuters