According to a South Korean lawmaker speaking on Monday, January 13, Seoul's national intelligence service (NIS) estimates that around 300 North Korean soldiers were killed among the thousands deployed by Pyongyang to Russia to fight in Ukraine, and 2 others were reportedly injured. North Korean authorities deny any involvement of their troops.
Rep. Lee Seong-kweun reported on memos discovered on dead service members indicating that their superiors had urged them to commit suicide rather than surrender, even recommending that they self-detonate if captured. He also reported promises of promotions within the Workers' Party or pardons for North Korean prisoners to encourage them to enlist.
For its part, Kiev claims to have captured two north korean soldiers, currently being treated and questioned. The Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky proposed to exchange them against Ukrainian fighters detained in Russia, while ensuring that those who did not wish to return to their country could testify to the truth about the war.
Ukraine, the United States and South Korea accuse Pyongyang to have sent more than 10 soldiers to support the Russian military since the beginning of the conflict, which began nearly three years ago. Moscow and Pyongyang categorically deny these allegations and reject any interference in the conflict.
This alleged involvement of a foreign army marks a new episode in a war that is intensifying, even though the international situation could evolve with the announced return of Donald Trump at the White House on January 20 and a possible warming of relations between Washington, Moscow and Pyongyang.
