300 North Korean soldiers killed, 2700 injured in Kursk region, South Korean intelligence reports

Asia-Pacific, Europe, News January 14, 2025 , by IRIA No Comments

3 minute read

South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) has reported that approximately 300 North Korean soldiers have been killed and another 2,700 injured while fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine.

According to South Korea’s spy agency, North Korean soldiers have been struggling to adapt to the complexities of modern warfare, particularly the use of drones and advanced surveillance technologies. Their challenges have been exacerbated by the unsophisticated strategies employed by their Russian commanders, who have reportedly sent them into assault campaigns without adequate rear-fire support.

Lee Seong Kweun, a South Korean lawmaker who attended a closed-door briefing with the NIS, highlighted that harsh orders have been given to North Korean troops. Documents found on deceased soldiers indicated they were instructed to commit suicide rather than be captured.

In one instance, a North Korean soldier, while under threat of capture by Ukrainian forces, reportedly shouted “General Kim Jong Un” before attempting to detonate a hand grenade. The attempt was thwarted, and the soldier was shot and killed.

Situation in Kursk

Most of the North Korean soldiers have been deployed in the Kursk region. The conflict in the Kursk region has seen both gains and losses for Ukrainian forces. Ukrainian troops have faced a strong counteroffensive from Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the capture of North Korean soldiers in the region on Saturday, highlighting the unusual composition of enemy forces.

North Korea sending toops to Russia — *^{North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervises artillery firing drills in North Korea on March 7, 2024. (Image Credit: Korean Central News Agency)}*

The Kursk campaign has left Ukrainian troops stretched thin, with thousands killed or injured as Russia recaptured over 40% of the territory initially seized. Despite these setbacks, Zelenskyy announced significant Russian losses over the past 24 hours, including 1,510 soldiers and numerous pieces of military equipment.

Return of captured North Korean soldiers

Amid the turmoil, South Korea’s NIS has confirmed that two captured North Korean soldiers have expressed no desire to seek asylum in South Korea. President Zelenskyy has indicated that Ukraine is willing to transfer such soldiers, though kept the possibility open for alternative arrangements for those unwilling to return to North Korea.

“If Kim Jong Un even remembers these citizens of his and is capable of organizing an exchange for our warriors being held in Russia, we are ready to discuss this,” Zelenskyy said in an address. He added that one of the captured soldiers expressed a desire to remain in Ukraine, while the other wanted to return to North Korea.

Koo Byoungsam, a spokesperson for South Korea’s Unification Ministry, stated that facilitating asylum for the soldiers would require a thorough legal review and consultations with other nations. “There’s nothing we can say at the current stage,” Koo remarked.

International repercussions

North Korea’s involvement in the Ukraine conflict has added a new layer of complexity to the war, raising questions about Pyongyang’s motivations and strategic interests. Analysts suggest that North Korea may be seeking economic or military support from Russia in exchange for its troops, as international sanctions and isolation continue to cripple its economy.

*^{North Korean soldiers ahead of the launch of ballistic missiles on March 10, 2023. (Image Credit: KCNA/via Reuters)}*

For now, the deployment of North Korean forces and their mounting casualties highlight the far-reaching consequences of the conflict, as it draws in nations from beyond Europe. With the situation evolving rapidly, the international community will closely watch how North Korea’s involvement impacts the broader geopolitical landscape.