SEOUL, South Korea — In a briefing to lawmakers on Monday, South Korea’s National Intelligence Service revealed that two North Korean soldiers, who were captured by Ukrainian forces while fighting alongside Russian troops near the Kursk border, have not indicated any desire to seek asylum in South Korea.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated his willingness to transfer the captured North Korean soldiers back to their country if North Korean leader Kim Jong Un can facilitate an exchange for Ukrainian prisoners held in Russia. Zelenskyy mentioned that one of the soldiers wishes to remain in Ukraine while the other prefers to go home, a sentiment reflected in footage shared by the Ukrainian government. In a recent address, Zelenskyy expressed hope that if Kim Jong Un recognizes these soldiers, he could arrange an exchange for Ukrainian soldiers detained in Russia. He suggested that there might be additional options for North Korean individuals who do not wish to return to their homeland.
During a private session at South Korea’s National Assembly, the intelligence agency confirmed its involvement in the questioning of the North Korean soldiers by Ukrainian officials, and noted that the soldiers did not express any desire to resettle in the South, as reported by two lawmakers present in the meeting. The agency is open to discussions with Ukrainian authorities should the soldiers later express interest in moving to South Korea. Since the late 1990s, approximately 34,000 North Koreans have defected to South Korea, seeking refuge from economic difficulties and oppressive political conditions in their homeland.
Koo Byoungsam, spokesperson for South Korea’s Ministry of Unification, emphasized that facilitating asylum for the North Korean soldiers would necessitate “legal reviews, including considerations of international law,” along with consultations with relevant nations involved. “At this stage, there’s nothing definitive to report,” Koo commented.
In its assessment, South Korea’s intelligence agency estimated that around 300 North Korean soldiers have been killed and approximately 2,700 injured while engaged in combat against Ukrainian forces, marking North Korea’s first significant military involvement since the Korean War. The agency noted the North Korean troops are struggling to adjust to advanced warfare tactics involving drones and other modern military elements. They also face challenges due to the tactics employed by their Russian commanders, which have involved launching assaults without adequate support, according to Lee Seong Kweun, a lawmaker who attended the briefing.
Memos discovered on deceased North Korean soldiers revealed they were instructed to resort to suicide if capture seemed imminent. During combat, one North Korean soldier reportedly shouted “General Kim Jong Un” before attempting to detonate a hand grenade, leading to his death by gunfire.
Zelenskyy confirmed the North Korean soldiers’ capture on Saturday, coinciding with Ukraine’s renewed offensives in the Kursk region as it seeks to reclaim ground after earlier advances in August — the first significant occupation of Russian territory post-World War II. The ongoing counteroffensive by Russian forces has severely stretched Ukrainian troops, resulting in substantial casualties and reclaiming over 40% of the 984 square kilometers (approximately 380 square miles) that Ukraine had previously taken.
According to Moon Seong Mook, a former South Korean brigadier general, the high casualty rate among North Korean soldiers was anticipated, as they were likely underprepared for the unfamiliar terrain of Kursk, which differs significantly from North Korea’s mountainous landscape. Furthermore, the North Korean soldiers are not conducting independent missions; instead, they are forced into battles under Russian command, often struggling with tactical integration and language barriers. Moon suggested that North Korean forces might also deploy surveillance teams to catch or execute deserters.
“The current battlefield dynamics, along with modern drone warfare, present scenarios that North Korean troops have never before experienced,” Moon reflected. “They are deployed in open fields with limited cover while facing relentless assaults to reclaim territory, which directly contributes to their high casualty rates.” He also pointed to North Korea’s long-standing economic struggles, which have led many soldiers to engage in food production or construction work, possibly leading to lesser quality military training.
Yet, there are significant concerns in Seoul regarding North Korea’s involvement in the Ukraine conflict, which could pose a heightened threat to South Korea. The experience gained by North Korean forces in Ukraine, coupled with possible technology transfers from Russia, has the potential to strengthen North Korea’s military capabilities, including its nuclear arsenal.
