Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that several wounded North Korean soldiers died after being captured by Ukrainian forces on Friday. The exact number of soldiers taken prisoner is unknown, but this incident marks the first time North Koreans have been taken as prisoners of war by Ukraine.
According to South Korea’s spy agency, at least one North Korean soldier had previously died from their injuries before being captured. US and Ukrainian officials believe that North Korean troops suffered heavy losses while fighting for Russia in Russia’s western Kursk region.
The incident is part of a larger conflict between Russia and Ukraine, with the latter launching a lightning-fast invasion into Kursk in August, forcing Russia to divert troops to counter the threat. Zelensky accused Russia of sending North Korean soldiers to the battlefield with minimal protection.
Estimates suggest that between 11,000 to 12,000 North Korean soldiers are currently in Russia, some of whom have engaged in combat operations alongside Russian forces. Ukraine estimates over 3,000 North Korean soldiers have been killed or wounded, while US officials say hundreds more have been casualties since October.
Zelensky has accused Russia of trying to cover up the involvement of North Korean soldiers on the battlefield and even attempting to disguise their identities through extreme tactics such as burning the bodies of deceased soldiers. Russian President Vladimir Putin recently signed a letter to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un reaffirming their strategic partnership treaty, which includes a mutual defense pact.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2024/12/27/europe/north-korean-soldier-ukraine-intl/index.html