Hundreds of North Korean Soldiers Killed in Ukraine, South Korean Official Claims
A shocking revelation has emerged from South Korea regarding the involvement of North Korean troops in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.According to South korean politician Lee Seong-kweun, at least 100 North Korean soldiers have been killed as joining the Russian military effort in December. This grim statistic paints a stark picture of the human cost of the war and the increasingly complex geopolitical alliances at play.
Lee, citing information from the National Intelligence Service (NIS), stated, “In December, they (North Korean troops) engaged in actual combat, during which at least 100 fatalities occurred.” He further added that the NIS anticipates the number of injured soldiers to reach nearly 1,000. the high casualty rate, according to Lee, is attributed to the unfamiliar battlefield, the troops’ deployment as expendable frontline units, and their inability to effectively counter drone attacks. “The NIS also reported that the number of injured is expected to reach nearly 1,000,” he added.
Lee also revealed that reports suggest ”several North Korean casualties, including high-ranking officials, had already occurred due to Ukraine’s missile and drone attacks, and also training accidents”. Furthermore, he noted that within the Russian military, there are reportedly complaints that the north Korean troops, due to their lack of drone warfare experience, are proving to be more of a hindrance than a help. “Within the Russian military,complaints have reportedly surfaced that the North Korean troops,due to their lack of knowledge about drones,are more of a burden than an asset,” Lee said.
These claims corroborate a previous statement by a senior U.S. military official who reported “several hundred” North Korean casualties in the Kursk region. This aligns with Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrsky’s account of Russia utilizing North Korean troops in a recent “intensive offensive” in the same area. The escalating situation underscores the growing military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, solidified by a landmark defense pact that came into effect earlier this month.
Putin’s Year-End Press Conference Amidst Rising Tensions
This news comes as Russian President Vladimir Putin prepares for his annual end-of-year press conference. this event, typically a lengthy question-and-answer session, will take place amidst the intensifying conflict in Ukraine and growing economic uncertainties within Russia. Putin will address the nation as both sides in the conflict strive for an advantage before the anticipated shift in U.S. foreign policy.
Experts believe that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s motivation for sending troops to Ukraine is twofold: to gain access to advanced Russian military technology and to provide his soldiers with valuable combat experience. The high casualty rate,however,raises questions about the strategic effectiveness of this alliance and the long-term implications for both North Korea and Russia.
