South Korea Confirms Capture of Wounded North Korean Soldier in Kursk

South Korea confirmed the capture of a wounded North Korean soldier in Kursk, Russia, amidst reports of 12,000 North Korean troops supporting Russian forces in Ukraine. Casualty estimates indicate over 3,000 fatalities among these soldiers. The National Intelligence Service confirmed the capture through allied intelligence sharing and indicated an ongoing monitoring effort. This incident marks a potential precedent for North Korean prisoners of war being taken by Ukraine.

South Korea’s intelligence agency has confirmed the apprehension of a wounded North Korean soldier in the Kursk region of Russia. This development follows the emergence of a photograph published by Ukrainian media, indicating the soldier’s custody. Reports indicate that approximately 12,000 North Korean troops are currently present in Russia to support military operations against Ukraine, with significant casualty figures confirmed by both Ukrainian authorities and estimates from South Korea.

The National Intelligence Service of South Korea (NIS) acknowledged the soldier’s capture through collaboration with allied intelligence agencies, stating, “We have confirmed that one injured North Korean soldier has been captured through real-time information sharing with intelligence agencies of our allies.” They further indicated that monitoring of the situation would continue. Ukraine has purportedly made its first capture of a North Korean soldier aiding Russian forces, as reported by the military-focused outlet, Militarnyi. Although the specific timing of the capture remains ambiguous, images of the soldier in custody have circulated on social media platforms such as Telegram.

In an earlier parliamentary session, the NIS suggested that the South Korean government should maintain agents on the ground to engage with North Korean soldiers who may choose to surrender. When questioned about the protocol for North Korean defectors, the NIS stated, “Under international and domestic law, South Korea must accept the request,” emphasizing the necessity of considering the defector’s wishes amidst North Korea’s potential influence.

Notably, while there has been no official confirmation regarding the deployment of North Korean troops from both President Vladimir Putin of Russia and Kim Jong Un of North Korea, evidence of their involvement in the conflict has been revealed by Ukraine. This includes documents detailing tactics used against drone attacks and disturbing allegations about the treatment of deceased North Korean soldiers by Russian forces, including the destruction of identifying features.

The presence of North Korean soldiers in Russia has emerged concurrent with the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, as fears persist over North Korea’s involvement in supporting Russian military actions. Despite denials from both Moscow and Pyongyang regarding troop deployments, multiple accounts and evidence suggest that North Korean troops are engaged in combat alongside Russian forces. Previous intelligence pointed towards significant casualties among these soldiers, raising concerns about the ramifications of their involvement in an international conflict, as well as potential repercussions for defectors who might seek asylum in South Korea.

The confirmation of a captured North Korean soldier marks a significant development in the wider context of North Korea’s involvement in Russia’s military efforts in Ukraine. The attention now turns to the ongoing monitoring of the situation by South Korean intelligence and the potential implications for North Korean defectors. As both Ukraine and South Korea navigate this complex situation, the underlying dynamics of international law and the geopolitical landscape remain crucial to observe moving forward.

Original Source: www.rfa.org