North Korean Soldiers in Ukraine Facing Dire Situation: 300 Confirmed Dead

A South Korean lawmaker has reported that approximately 300 North Korean soldiers have been killed while fighting in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, with many ordered to take their own lives rather than face capture. The claims were made by Lee Seong-kweun during a briefing with Seoul’s National Intelligence Service, which suggests that North Korean military casualties may have reached over 3,000, including around 2,700 injuries.

Lee revealed that troops from North Korea's elite Storm Corps are under directive to commit suicide or self-detonate if they find themselves in danger of being captured. He cited specific instances where fallen soldiers had attempted suicide to avoid capture, including a case where a soldier shouted "General Kim Jong Un" before attempting to detonate a grenade.

The report indicates that these North Korean soldiers were sent to assist Russia in exchange for military support in developing Pyongyang’s nuclear and missile capabilities. However, the soldiers are ill-equipped for modern warfare, leading to substantial casualties.

Simultaneously, two North Korean soldiers were captured by Ukrainian forces, with one stating he believed he was participating in training, not actual combat. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted the increasing reliance of Russian forces on North Korean military aid, emphasizing intentions to exchange the captured North Korean soldiers for Ukrainian captives in Russian custody.

The situation underscores the perilous conditions faced by North Korean troops involved in the conflict, amidst a backdrop of heightened military collaboration between Russia and North Korea since the onset of the war in Ukraine.