Reports of North Korean troops suffering casualties during engagements with Ukrainian forces have sparked claims that these soldiers are being used as cannon fodder by North Korea, with authorities allegedly indifferent to their survival.
“There’s a real possibility that many soldiers deployed to Russia didn’t even know where they were going until the very last moment,” said a North Korean defector, identified as Chung (a pseudonym), in an interview with Daily NK. Chung, a former soldier, was previously sent to Russia for construction work under similar military directives.
Deployment Without Choice
Chung explained that overseas missions are referred to as “deployments” rather than regular “assignments” within the military. Soldiers are kept in the dark about their destinations until shortly before departure. He believes those deployed to war zones are likely handpicked by military leaders without any say from the soldiers themselves.
“Soldiers assigned to construction work or other overseas tasks are often selected based on their military records and loyalty, not from a pool of volunteers,” Chung said. “Once chosen, refusal is not an option.”
Before leaving, all North Korean soldiers must publicly pledge their willingness to sacrifice their lives for Kim Jong Un, ensuring absolute obedience. This requirement extends even to those sent for non-combat tasks, emphasizing their complete submission to the regime’s orders.
Meager Compensation and Harsh Realities
Chung expressed skepticism over claims that North Korean soldiers deployed to Russia earn $2,000 monthly, a figure reported by South Korea’s National Intelligence Service. Based on his experience, he said soldiers performing grueling labor in Russia receive only $100 a month—barely enough for basic necessities.
“It’s unrealistic to believe soldiers in a war zone are earning such high wages. Payments made to mercenaries differ significantly from what North Korean conscripts receive,” Chung explained.
Chung also doubted the combat effectiveness of these soldiers, even if they include elite units like the Storm Corps. Their training in mountainous terrain leaves them ill-prepared for the open plains of Ukraine, he added.
Regime’s Ruthless Intentions
Chung suggested a chilling motive behind these deployments: the North Korean leadership may not want the soldiers to return alive. “Returning soldiers could expose the truth about what they endured, fostering dissent and negativity towards the regime,” he warned.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has also reported casualties among North Korean troops, including fatalities in combat near Kursk. He warned that without intervention, more North Korean soldiers could be deployed to Russia.
This situation highlights the grim sacrifices North Korean soldiers face and the unrelenting grip of a regime prioritizing loyalty and secrecy over the lives of its troops.
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