North Korean Soldier Fighting for Russia Against Ukraine Dies from Wounds
A soldier from North Korea, who was fighting alongside Russia against Ukraine and was later captured, has died from his injuries, South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) confirmed on Friday, December 27. The soldier’s death was first reported by the Rёнhaп news agency.
"The North Korean soldier captured alive on December 26 died some time ago due to the deterioration of his wounds," the NIS stated.
The news comes hours after South Korea confirmed that a North Korean soldier had been taken prisoner by Ukrainian forces for the first time. The capture was initially reported by Ukrainian Telegram channels, including "Mилитарний," which claimed the soldier was detained in the Kursk region. No other verifications have been made.
Earlier reports suggested that North Korea might have sent up to 12,000 troops to fight in Russia against Ukraine. U.S. intelligence sources have claimed that these soldiers are involved in battles in the Kursk region, parts of which are currently under Ukrainian control.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently stated that more than 3,000 North Korean soldiers have been killed or injured during fighting in the Kursk region. The NIS reported this week that North Korea is likely preparing to send additional troops and possibly rotate or reinforce its forces in Russia.
