Ukrainian forces face a troubling new threat from North Korean soldiers resorting to suicide tactics in the ongoing conflict with Russia
Kursk: Recently, Ukrainian special forces found themselves in a tough spot after a battle in Russia’s Kursk region. They came across the bodies of over a dozen North Korean soldiers. One soldier was still alive, but as they got closer, he detonated a grenade, taking himself out. Thankfully, the Ukrainian troops were unharmed.
This incident is just one of many that highlight the extreme measures some North Korean soldiers are taking in support of Russia’s war against Ukraine. A former North Korean soldier, who defected to South Korea, shared that these troops are brainwashed and willing to sacrifice themselves for their leader, Kim Jong Un.
North Korea’s involvement in this conflict marks its first major military action since the Korean War. Reports suggest that around 11,000 North Korean soldiers have been sent to assist Russian forces, with thousands already reported as casualties.
Initially, both Moscow and Pyongyang dismissed claims of troop deployments as false. However, Russian President Putin later acknowledged the presence of North Korean soldiers, and a North Korean official stated that their deployment was lawful.
Ukrainian forces have even released videos of captured North Korean soldiers, with one expressing a wish to stay in Ukraine. This situation is concerning, as it appears these soldiers are being used as cannon fodder, unprepared for modern warfare.
There are alarming reports that North Korean troops have been instructed to commit suicide if captured. A South Korean lawmaker revealed that memos found on slain soldiers emphasized self-destruction to avoid capture.
For many North Korean soldiers, being captured is seen as a disgrace, leading them to prefer death over the shame of returning home. The situation is dire, and the implications for the ongoing conflict are significant.
