North Korean leader Kim Jong Un publicly confirmed this week that his troops deployed in Ukraine resorted to self-detonation tactics to avoid capture. Speaking at the inauguration of a memorial hall for North Korean soldiers who fought overseas, Kim praised his troops as 'heroes who, in order to safeguard great honor, chose without hesitation the path of self-detonation and self-death.'
Grim Confirmation of Ukrainian Reports
Kim's remarks validate previous Ukrainian military observations of North Korean soldiers detonating grenades on their bodies when wounded, ensuring they would not be taken prisoner. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted in December 2024 that Russian forces and North Korean supervisors showed little concern for the survival of North Korean troops, prioritizing ideological commitment over lives.
'Everything is done in a way that makes it impossible for us to take Koreans prisoner,' Zelenskyy said.
North Korea's Role in Russia's War Effort
Western estimates suggest Pyongyang sent between 10,000 and 14,000 elite infantry troops to assist Russia in retaking the Kursk region, which Ukraine had attacked in late 2024. Unlike Russian soldiers, North Korean troops reportedly engaged in high-casualty frontal assaults, resulting in around 6,000 deaths or injuries by early 2025.
The involvement of North Korean forces has raised concerns in the West and South Korea, as these troops have gained significant combat experience, particularly in drone warfare. Additionally, North Korea has supplied Russia with artillery systems, millions of shells, and short-range ballistic missiles, further solidifying their military partnership.
Kim's remarks coincided with a visit to Pyongyang by a Russian delegation, including Moscow's defense minister, Andrei Beloussov, underscoring the deepening ties between the two nations.