Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that several captured North Korean soldiers, who sustained severe injuries during fighting, have died. The soldiers, believed to be the first North Korean prisoners of war taken by Ukraine, could not be resuscitated despite efforts by Ukrainian forces.
The exact number of captured soldiers was not disclosed by Zelensky, however, this incident follows earlier reports from South Korea’s intelligence agency, which stated one wounded North Korean soldier had died in Ukrainian custody. Further requests for comment from South Korean and Ukrainian authorities have been made by international news outlets.
Reports from US and Ukrainian officials indicate North Korean troops have incurred substantial losses while supporting Russian forces in the Kursk region. Ukraine’s military incursion into Kursk during August forced Russia to redeploy troops, highlighting the intensity of the conflict.
Zelensky has asserted that the Russian military is demonstrating a lack of concern for the safety of North Korean troops, deploying them to the battlefield with inadequate protection. This contrasts with the intelligence shared between South Korea and its allies, which led to the discovery of the captured soldiers.
Neither Russia nor North Korea have officially recognized the presence of North Korean soldiers in the conflict, though intelligence estimates from US, Ukrainian and South Korean sources put their numbers between 11,000 to 12,000, many of which are engaged in combat. Reports suggest significant North Korean casualties, with Ukraine estimating over 3,000 soldiers killed or wounded, while a US official reported “several hundred” casualties since October. Additionally, one South Korean lawmaker has cited approximately 100 North Korean fatalities and nearly 1,000 injuries.
Accusations have also been made by Ukrainian officials, stating Russia is attempting to conceal North Korean involvement in the conflict, with some evidence suggesting tactics like fabricating Russian military IDs for North Korean soldiers. Zelensky has further accused Russia of burning the bodies of fallen North Korean soldiers to conceal their identities.
Looking ahead, there are concerns of additional North Korean troops and military equipment being dispatched to support Russian forces, according to Zelensky. Meanwhile, both Russia and North Korea have re-affirmed their commitment to their recently signed mutual defense treaty in the past days, signaling a potential deepening of their strategic alliance amidst growing international scrutiny.
