North Korean Troops in Ukraine Aren't Seeking Asylum in the South

Two North Korean soldiers captured in Ukraine while fighting with Russian forces haven’t shown any interest in defecting to South Korea, according to South Korea's spy agency. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has offered to return the soldiers to North Korea if their leader, Kim Jong Un, agrees to swap them for Ukrainian prisoners held by Russia. One of the soldiers may prefer staying in Ukraine, as hinted in a video released by the Ukrainian government. South Korea’s National Intelligence Service confirmed they have been involved in questioning the soldiers. They haven’t received any requests from the soldiers to resettle in the South. If that changes, they’re ready to discuss the matter with Ukrainian authorities. South Korea has seen over 34, 000 North Korean defectors since the late 1990s, mostly due to economic hardship and political repression. The spy agency believes around 300 North Korean soldiers have died and 2, 700 have been injured in the conflict, marking their first large-scale combat since the Korean War. They’re struggling with modern warfare techniques and the inadequate support from their Russian commanders. Documents found on dead soldiers indicate they were ordered to commit suicide to avoid capture.

Zelenskyy confirmed the capture of the North Korean soldiers after Ukraine launched new attacks in the Kursk region, marking the first occupation of Russian territory since World War II. The Ukrainian forces have suffered significant losses, with Russian counterattacks retaking over 40% of the seized territory. Retired South Korean Brigadier General Moon Seong Mook noted that the high death toll among North Korean soldiers is due to their lack of preparation for the terrain and the unfamiliar tactics and communication issues with their Russian commanders. Language barriers and potential internal surveillance teams within the North Korean forces could also be factors. There are concerns in Seoul that North Korea’s involvement in the Ukraine crisis could enhance their combat experience and lead to technology transfers from Russia that could bolster their nuclear-armed forces.

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