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The United States has reported that North Korean soldiers fighting on Russia’s side in the Kursk region against Ukraine are committing suicide to avoid being captured by Ukrainian Defense Forces.
This was stated by White House representative John Kirby during a briefing.
According to Kirby, both Russian and North Korean leaders treat North Korean soldiers as “expendable” and order them to carry out “hopeless attacks on Ukrainian defenses.”
He noted that these soldiers are “indoctrinated” and persist in launching attacks even when it is clear they are futile.
“We also have reports that North Korean soldiers are committing suicide rather than surrendering to Ukrainian forces, likely due to fears of reprisals against their families in North Korea if they are captured,” Kirby stated.
The White House representative added that despite everything Russian forces provide to these soldiers—”whether it be rifles, ammunition, artillery, or backpacks”—he hopes they are also providing plenty of body bags, as “they will definitely be needed.”
During the briefing, it was also revealed that in the past week alone, North Korean forces in the Kursk region have suffered 1,000 casualties, including dead and wounded.
Notably, on Friday, December 27, South Korean intelligence confirmed the capture of a wounded North Korean soldier by Ukrainian forces. The soldier had been fighting on Russia’s side.
South Korean intelligence later reported, citing information from a “friendly nation,” that the soldier had died.
The Pentagon had previously predicted an increase in casualties among North Korean forces participating in battles in the Kursk region.
Meanwhile, U.S. intelligence agencies believe the deployment of North Korean troops in Russia was North Korea’s idea, not Russia’s.
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