A North Korean soldier, captured by Ukrainian forces after being deployed to fight alongside Russia, has died from his injuries, South Korean intelligence reported Friday, December 27. The capture of a North Korean soldier was a first since kyiv and the West reported the participation of Pyongyang troops in the conflict.
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“ It has been confirmed, through an allied intelligence agency, that the North Korean soldier captured alive on December 26 has just succumbed following his worsening injuries “, the intelligence agency said in a statement.
The capture of this North Korean soldier is a first since Kyiv and Westerners have reported the participation of troops from Pyongyang in the conflict. This involvement of a regular foreign army marks a major escalation in the invasion launched by Vladimir Putin almost three years ago. This war which is now entering a critical phase with the return of Donald Trump to the White House in less than a month. The billionaire boasted during his campaign that he would be able to end the war in a day.
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No confirmation from Moscow or Pyongyang of a North Korean commitment
The South Korean agency announced the capture after postings on social networks, accompanied by photos, from Ukrainian accounts. According to kyiv, “ 12 000 North Korean soldiers ”, of which approximately “ 500 officers and three generals », are currently deployed in the Russian region of Kurskwhich part of the Ukrainian army has occupied since August.
Neither the Russia nor the North Korea have, however, officially confirmed the presence of this contingent alongside Russian forces.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Monday that nearly “ 3,000 North Korean soldiers » had been « killed or injured » since their engagement alongside Russia. For his part, Seoul estimated the number of killed or injured » to approximately « 1,100 “.
The South Korean general staff had also observed preparations which suggested that North Korea could send new units to Russia, whether as reinforcements or to replace those already fighting. In addition to this, drones could also be sent.
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Hypothesis on peace negotiations
A historical treatise on mutual defense » between Pyongyang and Moscow, signed in June, entered into force at the beginning of the month. This treaty provides “ immediate military aid » in the event of armed aggression by a third country. Seoul sees North Korea as seeking to modernize its conventional warfare capabilities with Russian assistance, drawing on experience gained from fighting Ukrainian forces.
However, ” the involvement of the North Koreans in the fighting did not have a significant impact on the situation “, Yevguen Ierin, spokesperson for Ukrainian military intelligence (GUR), told AFP on Tuesday. According to him, North Korean troops lack modern combat experience, especially in the face of the massive use of ” drones » on the battlefield. They use “ more primitive tactics », inherited from the Second World War or after the Second World War.
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The two camps, theUkraine and Russia, have intensified their strikes in recent months, with massive bombings notably targeting the Ukrainian energy sector on Christmas Day. Both are seeking to strengthen their position before Donald Trump returns to the White House in January.
The former US president, who previously held office from 2017 to 2021, has repeatedly promised to restore peace in Ukraine “ in 24 hours » and called for a “ immediate ceasefire » as well as talks.
While the hypothesis of peace negotiations is increasingly mentioned, the Russian president affirmed Thursday, December 26 that Slovakia had proposed to be a “ platform » for such discussions. This during a visit to Russia by Prime Minister Robert Fico four days earlier. This visit by a European leader to the Russian capital, a very rare step, went against the policy of isolation of Vladimir Putin applied by the West, who strive to form a united front in their support for kyiv .
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