Seoul: The South Korean intelligence service has confirmed that Ukrainian forces captured a North Korean soldier who had been sent to support Russia’s war in Ukraine. This development underscores the growing military collaboration between North Korea and Russia, which has intensified since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Pyongyang has deployed hundreds of soldiers, some to the Kursk border area, where Ukraine launched a surprise invasion in August.
South Korea’s National Intelligence Service reported that the captured soldier, who had been injured, was taken by Ukrainian troops, although the exact location remains unclear. South Korea’s intelligence agency previously estimated that around 1,000 North Korean soldiers had been killed or injured, with a significant number of casualties attributed to the harsh terrain and drone assaults. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that nearly 3,000 North Korean soldiers had been killed or wounded in the conflict.
The ongoing conflict has seen North Korea and Russia forge a closer military relationship. In June 2024, a defense agreement between the two countries was hailed by Russian President Vladimir Putin as a major milestone, and bilateral ties were further strengthened during Putin’s recent talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. In exchange for providing soldiers to the Russian frontlines, Moscow is reportedly supporting North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs.
South Korea’s warnings regarding Pyongyang’s role in the war highlight the growing risks associated with the conflict’s expansion. North Korea is reportedly preparing for further rotations of its soldiers and has provided Russia with heavy artillery, including 240mm rocket launchers and 170mm self-propelled artillery. South Korea has also indicated that it may change its stance on arms sales, suggesting the possibility of providing weapons to Ukraine, a significant shift from its long-standing policy of non-intervention in active conflicts.
