South Korea’s spy agency confirmed that North Korean soldiers captured in Ukraine have not sought asylum in South Korea.

On January 13, 2025, South Korea’s spy agency informed lawmakers that two North Korean soldiers, who were captured by Ukrainian forces while fighting alongside Russian troops in the Kursk border region of Russia, have not expressed any intention to seek asylum in South Korea. The soldiers were detained during the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, where they were reportedly participating in the fighting on behalf of Russia. Despite being captured, there has been no indication from the soldiers that they wish to defect to South Korea, which remains a potential destination for North Korean defectors seeking asylum.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on the social media platform X that he is open to handing over the two North Korean soldiers to North Korea if the country’s authoritarian leader, Kim Jong Un, arranges an exchange with Ukrainian prisoners of war held in Russia. Zelenskyy also mentioned that there could be “other options” for North Korean soldiers who do not wish to return home. A video released by his government revealed that at least one of the captured soldiers expressed a desire to remain in Ukraine, suggesting that some soldiers may not want to return to North Korea.

In a closed-door briefing at South Korea’s National Assembly, the National Intelligence Service (NIS) confirmed that it had been involved in the questioning of the two North Korean soldiers by Ukrainian authorities. The NIS stated that the soldiers have not expressed any request to resettle in South Korea. This information was shared by two lawmakers who attended the meeting, shedding light on the soldiers’ intentions regarding asylum.

The National Intelligence Service (NIS) expressed its willingness to discuss the matter with Ukrainian authorities if the captured North Korean soldiers eventually request to move to South Korea. Since the late 1990s, around 34,000 North Koreans have defected to South Korea to escape economic hardship and political repression in their homeland. This history of defections highlights the potential for further discussions should the soldiers seek asylum in South Korea.

Koo Byoungsam, spokesperson for South Korea’s Unification Ministry, which manages inter-Korean affairs, stated that facilitating the asylum of the North Korean soldiers would require “legal reviews, including on international law, and consultations with related nations.” This indicates that any potential move to grant asylum would involve careful consideration of legal and diplomatic factors.

“There’s nothing we can say at the current stage,” Mr. Koo said, emphasizing that it is too early to make any definitive statements regarding the potential asylum of the North Korean soldiers.

Seoul’s spy agency believes that approximately 300 North Korean soldiers have died, and another 2,700 have been injured while fighting against Ukrainian forces. This marks North Korea’s first involvement in a large-scale conflict since the 1950-53 Korean War.

The agency assessed that the North Korean soldiers are struggling to adapt to drones and other aspects of modern warfare. Additionally, they face further challenges due to the crude tactics of their Russian commanders, who have sent them into assault campaigns without providing adequate rear-fire support. This information was shared by Lee Seong Kweun, a lawmaker who attended the agency’s briefing.

The agency reported that memos found on deceased North Korean soldiers indicated they had been ordered to commit suicide before being captured. According to Lee Seong Kweun, a lawmaker who attended the briefing, one North Korean soldier, faced with the threat of capture by Ukrainian forces, shouted “General Kim Jong Un” and attempted to detonate a hand grenade before he was shot and killed.

Mr. Zelenskyy confirmed the capture of the North Korean soldiers on Saturday, January 13, 2025. This announcement came just days after Ukraine, in the face of a slow Russian offensive in the east, initiated new attacks in the Kursk region to retain ground captured during a rapid incursion in August. This marked the first occupation of Russian territory since World War II.

Moscow’s counterattack has stretched Ukrainian forces thin and left them demoralized, resulting in thousands of casualties. Russian forces have also retaken more than 40% of the 984 square kilometers (380 square miles) of Kursk that Ukraine had previously seized.

Moon Seong Mook, a retired South Korean brigadier general, stated that the high death toll among North Korean soldiers was predictable. He explained that the soldiers were likely unprepared for an unfamiliar mission in the terrain of the Kursk region, which is vastly different from North Korea’s mountainous landscape. This lack of preparation contributed to their struggles and heavy losses.

“Another disadvantage for the North Koreans is that they are not conducting independent operations but are being thrust into combat under Russian commanders, possibly struggling with unfamiliar tactics and communication issues due to language barriers,” said Mr. Moon, who has participated in numerous military talks with North Korea. This lack of autonomy and the challenges of working with Russian forces likely contributed to their difficulties on the battlefield.

He also suggested that “The North Korean forces could be operating special surveillance teams to arrest or execute attempted deserters,” highlighting the strict control North Korea may have over its soldiers, potentially using extreme measures to prevent defections or desertion during the conflict.

“The current battlefield environment, combined with drones and other technologies, have created situations North Korean soldiers have never encountered before,” Mr. Moon said. “They are also being deployed in large numbers in wide-open fields, where there is no place to hide, in continuous battles to retake the area, and that seems to be where the casualties are coming from.” This challenging environment, unfamiliar tactics, and advanced technology are major factors contributing to the high death toll among North Korean forces.

“North Korea’s decades-long financial troubles, which have forced many soldiers to grow their own food or spend long hours deployed in construction and other work to sustain the national economy, could also have impacted the quality of training they receive at home,” Mr. Moon said. These economic difficulties may have hindered the military’s ability to adequately prepare soldiers for the challenges they face on foreign battlefields, affecting their overall readiness and effectiveness.

Despite the challenges faced by North Korean soldiers in Ukraine, there are growing concerns in Seoul that North Korea’s involvement in the crisis could pose a significant threat to South Korea. North Korean forces may gain valuable combat experience, and there are fears that Russia could provide technology transfers that would enhance North Korea’s nuclear-armed military, further strengthening its capabilities. This potential collaboration between Russia and North Korea has raised alarms about the long-term security implications for the region.

Courtesy: WION

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