A North Korean soldier, captured alive by Ukrainian forces while fighting for Russia, has died from his injuries, South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) confirmed on Friday. This comes amidst Pyongyang’s growing involvement in Russia’s war against Ukraine, with thousands of North Korean troops reportedly deployed to bolster Russian forces.
The soldier was seized on December 26th but succumbed to his wounds shortly afterward. The NIS stated, “It has been confirmed through an allied intelligence agency that the North Korean soldier captured alive has just passed away due to worsening wounds.”
North Korea’s Involvement in the Conflict
North Korea has reportedly sent thousands of soldiers to support Russia, particularly in conflict-heavy areas like the Kursk border region. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently revealed that nearly 3,000 North Korean soldiers have been killed or wounded since the war began.
South Korean intelligence had earlier estimated the casualties at around 1,000, attributing the high death rate to the soldiers’ unfamiliarity with the battlefield and their inability to counter modern drone warfare effectively.
International Reactions and Concerns
The White House criticized Pyongyang’s role in the conflict, with National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby stating that North Korean troops are being used in futile attacks by Russian generals who consider them “expendable.” Kirby also mentioned reports of North Korean soldiers taking their own lives to avoid capture, fearing repercussions for their families back home.
NATO chief Mark Rutte highlighted Russia’s support for North Korea’s missile and nuclear programs in exchange for troop deployments, calling this alliance a “dangerous expansion” of the conflict.
Strengthened Ties Between Pyongyang and Moscow
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, North Korea and Russia have strengthened their military ties. A landmark defense pact signed in June came into effect recently, with Russian President Vladimir Putin lauding the agreement as a “breakthrough document.”
North Korean state media reported that Putin sent a New Year’s message to Kim Jong Un, emphasizing the elevation of bilateral ties following their June talks in Pyongyang.
South Korea’s Warning and Response
South Korea has expressed significant concern over Pyongyang’s involvement in the Russia-Ukraine war. The Joint Chiefs of Staff in Seoul reported that North Korea is preparing for additional troop deployments and has supplied heavy artillery to Russia.
Although South Korea maintains a policy against supplying weapons to nations in active conflict, President Yoon Suk Yeol hinted in November at reconsidering this stance to support Ukraine.
