North Korean Casualties in Ukraine Conflict Exceed 4,000 Amid Conscription Fears
Casualties among North Korean troops in Ukraine surpass 4,000, as reported by the National Intelligence Service. There is an increase in conscription fears, leading some individuals to resort to extreme measures. The NIS suggests North Korea is ready for potential nuclear tests.
Recent reports from the National Intelligence Service (NIS) indicate that casualties among North Korean troops in the Ukraine war have surpassed 4,000, as detailed by Representative Lee Seong-kweun. This figure, as of mid-March, reflects an increase from approximately 3,000 casualties reported in January among the 11,000 North Korean personnel sent to support Russia. According to Lee, “The latest we have is that more than 4,000 members of North Korean forces in the Ukraine war have either been killed or wounded.”
Lee further revealed that the NIS suspects North Korea has deployed an additional 3,000 to 4,000 troops following a temporary withdrawal from the front line after suffering substantial losses. He explained, “North Korean troops have disappeared from the Kursk front briefly as a result of losing some 30 percent of their men to casualties, but they have since been replenished with additional dispatches of troops.”
The NIS has indicated that high-ranking North Korean officers may also be among the casualties; however, the regime has been attempting to conceal the extent of its military presence in the conflict. “North Korea tries to recover as many of the bodies of its dead soldiers as possible, rather than leaving them behind,” stated Lee, emphasizing the government’s efforts to minimize evidence of their involvement in the war.
While Ukrainian officials claim that North Korean troops have bolstered Russian efforts, the NIS does not consider their impact to be significant. Lee remarked, “North Korean troops were mostly used like expendables in the war, and they are not believed to have played a decisive role in Russia’s recent gains in the Kursk region.” Reports indicate that North Korean soldiers have been advised to use grenades to take their own lives if captured.
Despite the lack of official acknowledgment regarding their military deployment, fears of increased conscription in North Korea are rising. Many families, especially those with only one child, are reluctant to send their members to war, leading to drastic measures such as self-mutilation to avoid conscription. Lee stated, “Some are taking extreme measures such as self-inflicted mutilation of their bodies to dodge conscription.”
Finally, regarding North Korea’s potential nuclear tests, Lee asserted that the NIS believes the country is poised to conduct another test at any time, stating, “The only question is when.”
In conclusion, the casualty rate of North Korean troops involved in the Ukraine conflict has significantly increased, now exceeding 4,000. The NIS highlights ongoing conscription anxieties among the North Korean populace, with extreme actions taken by individuals to evade military service. As international scrutiny intensifies, the regime is also believed to be prepared to resume nuclear testing, further escalating concerns in the region.
Original Source: www.koreaherald.com
