North Korean Soldier Captured in Ukraine Dies, Reports Confirm
An injured North Korean soldier captured by Ukrainian forces has reportedly died, according to South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency, citing the National Intelligence Service (NIS).
This marks the first confirmed instance of a North Korean prisoner of war since Pyongyang began deploying soldiers to aid Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.
The NIS confirmed the soldier’s death through allied intelligence, attributing it to “serious injuries sustained during combat.”
North Korean Troops in Russia: Growing Evidence
Ukraine and South Korea estimate that more than 10,000 North Korean troops have been deployed to assist Russian forces. While Moscow and Pyongyang have neither confirmed nor denied these reports, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has openly criticized the collaboration, citing its potential to destabilize the Korean peninsula.
Images and footage from the battlefield suggest that North Korean soldiers are operating under fake Russian identities, with additional allegations of attempts to destroy evidence of their involvement.
- Zelensky recently shared a video alleging that Russian forces burned the faces of slain North Korean troops to obscure their identities.
- Many North Korean soldiers are believed to be from the elite 11th Corps (Storm Corps), known for their expertise in infiltration, sabotage, and assassinations.
Military and Geopolitical Implications
More than 3,000 North Korean troops have reportedly been killed or injured while fighting in Russia’s Kursk region, according to Zelensky.
The collaboration between Russia and North Korea signals a strengthening of ties between the two countries, both of which face international sanctions and isolation.
Yang Uk, a research fellow at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies, notes:
- Capturing North Korean troops could benefit Ukraine by enabling prisoner exchanges with Russia.
- Proving the nationality of these soldiers remains a challenge due to efforts to conceal their identities.
Global Reactions
The deployment of North Korean troops to Ukraine has drawn concern from Western nations and heightened tensions in the region.
- China, a key ally of both Russia and North Korea, is closely monitoring the situation.
- The development adds another layer of complexity to South Korea’s security landscape, given Pyongyang’s increasing provocations.
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