South Korea's intelligence agency says about 300 North Korean soldiers dispatched to Russia are believed to have been killed.
In a briefing at the National Assembly on Monday, the National Intelligence Service told lawmakers that it estimates the combined number of North Korean troops' fatalities and injuries topped 3,000.
The agency said memos found on dead North Korean soldiers indicated that they had been ordered to kill themselves before being captured.
One North Korean soldier reportedly attempted a suicide attack with a hand grenade while shouting "General Kim Jong Un" before he was shot and killed.
Based on information from Ukrainian authorities, the agency assessed that the two North Korean soldiers captured in Russia's western region of Kursk belong to the Reconnaissance General Bureau, a key North Korean military intelligence agency.
The soldiers reportedly said North Korean authorities did not promise to pay them a salary for their dispatch to Russia but told them they would be treated as "heroes." The agency confirmed that Pyongyang had provided the soldiers' families with food and daily necessities.
The agency also said Kim is apparently considering visiting Russia in the first half of this year.
In a briefing at the National Assembly on Monday, the National Intelligence Service told lawmakers that it estimates the combined number of North Korean troops' fatalities and injuries topped 3,000.
The agency said memos found on dead North Korean soldiers indicated that they had been ordered to kill themselves before being captured.
One North Korean soldier reportedly attempted a suicide attack with a hand grenade while shouting "General Kim Jong Un" before he was shot and killed.
Based on information from Ukrainian authorities, the agency assessed that the two North Korean soldiers captured in Russia's western region of Kursk belong to the Reconnaissance General Bureau, a key North Korean military intelligence agency.
The soldiers reportedly said North Korean authorities did not promise to pay them a salary for their dispatch to Russia but told them they would be treated as "heroes." The agency confirmed that Pyongyang had provided the soldiers' families with food and daily necessities.
The agency also said Kim is apparently considering visiting Russia in the first half of this year.
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Summary
300 North Korean soldiers reported dead in Russia, per South Korea's intelligence agency. Estimated total casualties exceed 3,000. Soldiers were found with memos suggesting suicide orders to avoid capture. One attempted a grenade attack before being shot. Two captured soldiers belong to the
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ID: 500fb4d7-d230-4b91-9f6f-ab4e0ad2a3e7
Category ID: nhk
URL: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20250113_12/
Date: Jan. 13, 2025
Created: 2025/01/14 07:00
Updated: 2025/12/08 07:10
Last Read: 2025/01/14 07:45