Seoul says 300 North Korean soldiers killed, 2,700 wounded fighting Ukraine

Mon Jan 13 09:04:28 UTC 2025: ## Over 3,000 North Korean Soldiers Killed or Injured Fighting in Ukraine, South Korea Claims

**Seoul, South Korea** – South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) estimates that over 3,000 North Korean soldiers have been killed or injured fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine. This figure, revealed by South Korean lawmaker Lee Seong-kweun following a briefing, includes approximately 300 deaths and 2,700 injuries. The NIS attributes the high casualty rate to the North Korean soldiers’ lack of experience in modern warfare and their deployment to high-risk areas, such as the Kursk region.

The revelation comes days after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the capture of two North Korean soldiers and released a video of their interrogation. Zelenskyy offered to return the soldiers in exchange for Ukrainian prisoners of war held by Russia. The Kremlin, however, declined to comment on the situation.

South Korea previously alleged that over 10,000 North Korean soldiers were sent to Ukraine as “cannon fodder” in exchange for Russian technological assistance. While Russia hasn’t confirmed or denied their presence, the NIS reports that the captured soldiers haven’t requested asylum in South Korea. However, South Korean officials stated they are prepared to discuss the matter with Ukrainian authorities should such a request arise.

Adding to the grim picture, lawmaker Lee Seong-kweun revealed that North Korean soldiers have been ordered to commit suicide rather than surrender, with memos found on deceased soldiers supporting this claim. Some soldiers, reportedly from the elite Storm Corps, were motivated by the promise of amnesty or advancement within the Workers’ Party. One soldier’s reported attempt to detonate a grenade while shouting “General Kim Jong Un” before being killed further underscores the dire situation. The South Korean Ministry of Unification stated that facilitating asylum for any defecting soldiers would require extensive legal and international consultations.

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