A North Korean soldier believed to have been the first captured while supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine has died after being taken alive by Ukrainian forces. The South Korean intelligence agency confirmed that one injured North Korean soldier had been captured, and later reported that he had died from his injuries.
The captured soldier was reportedly taken into custody by Ukrainian special forces in the Kursk region, where Ukraine has seized significant territory. If confirmed, this would be the first time a North Korean combatant had been taken prisoner by Ukrainian forces.
North Korea has deployed over 11,000 soldiers to support Russia’s efforts in the war, with many struggling due to poor training and unfamiliar terrain. The conflict has seen heavy losses on both sides, with estimates suggesting that thousands of North Korean troops have been killed or wounded.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claimed earlier this week that over 3,000 North Korean soldiers had been killed or wounded in the Kursk region alone. A White House spokesperson later confirmed that around 1,000 North Korean troops had been killed or wounded in the past week.
The deployment of North Korean soldiers has marked a significant escalation in the war, with many questioning why Putin would risk deploying troops from a country with limited military capabilities. Slovakia is set to host peace talks between Moscow and Kyiv, sparking concerns that a settlement could be imposed on terms favorable to Moscow.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/27/north-korean-soldier-captured-ukraine-injured-south-korea