Foreign involvement in the war in Ukraine has taken a notable turn.
Reports of North Korean troops assisting Russia have surfaced recently, and now, the first confirmed case of a captured North Korean soldier has been reported.
His death marks a significant moment in the conflict, according to Ziare.
First Known Case
On December 27, South Korea’s intelligence agency confirmed that a North Korean soldier captured by Ukrainian forces had died from injuries sustained in combat.
The soldier was taken prisoner on December 26 but succumbed to his wounds shortly after.
This incident is the first known case of a North Korean fighter being captured in the nearly three-year-long war.
Ukrainian officials have claimed that approximately 12,000 North Korean troops, including 500 officers and three generals, are stationed in Russia’s Kursk region.
This area has been a focal point of intense fighting since August, with Ukrainian forces gaining ground.
While neither Russia nor North Korea has acknowledged the deployment of these troops, the incident shows the growing international dimensions of the conflict.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated earlier this week that nearly 3,000 North Korean soldiers have been killed or wounded since their involvement began.
South Korean intelligence estimates around 1,100 casualties.
Despite the numbers, Ukrainian officials have downplayed the impact of North Korean troops, calling their combat tactics outdated and poorly suited for modern warfare.
The death of the captured soldier comes amid escalating violence. Both Ukrainian and Russian forces have intensified their attacks, with large-scale bombardments targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure over the Christmas period.
The escalation coincides with speculation about a potential shift in U.S. policy as Donald Trump prepares to return to the presidency on January 20.
Trump has promised a swift resolution to the war, raising concerns in Kyiv over a possible unfavorable settlement.
The deployment of North Korean troops also underscores a strengthening of ties between Moscow and Pyongyang.
A mutual defense treaty signed in June, which took effect earlier this month, commits both nations to immediate military assistance if attacked by a third party.
