Seoul Reports 300 North Korean Soldiers Killed, 2,700 Wounded in Ukraine Fighting

Jan 13, 2025, 06:02 AM

South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS) has reported that approximately 300 North Korean soldiers have been killed and 2,700 wounded while fighting in Russia's war against Ukraine. According to South Korean lawmakers briefed by the NIS, North Korean troops have been deployed to support Russia's military efforts, particularly in the Kursk region of western Russia, where they have participated in large-scale attacks. The NIS also indicated that Pyongyang has instructed its soldiers to avoid capture by any means, including committing suicide. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Kyiv has captured two North Korean soldiers, releasing video of the injured combatants. Additionally, a diary recovered from a deceased North Korean soldier reportedly reveals that Russian forces are using the troops as 'human bait' in their operations. The deployment of North Korean soldiers underscores the ongoing cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow in the conflict.