Kim Jong-Un has revealed a shocking new policy which will see North Korean soldiers kill themselves to avoid capture. It is believed that Pyongyang has sent around 15,000 troops to fight with Russian forces in Ukraine since the invasion in 2022.
The Supreme Leader spoke at the opening of a memorial museum dedicated to North Korean soldiers killed in the conflict so far. He praised the “extraordinary heroism” of soldiers who “unhesitatingly opted for self-blasting, suicide attack”. It is believed that around 2,000 North Korean troops have died while serving in the conflict, with a number opting to kill themselves on the battlefield to prevent being caught as prisoners of war.
As reported by The Independent, just two North Korean soldiers are believed to have been captured alive since their involvement in the war emerged in October 2024. However, claims from Ukraine suggest their ranks have suffered heavy losses.
A source said one of the soldiers tried to bite his own wrists after being wounded in order to avoid being held prisoner in Ukraine. Meanwhile, other soldiers have killed themselves to “defend their country’s honour”, adding that they did not expect any compensation or reward for their “self-sacrifice through self-blasting”.
Speaking at the recent ceremony in Pyongyang, which marked the one-year anniversary of the recapture of Russia’s Kursk region, Kim threw dirt over the remains of one dead soldier. Accompanied by Russian officials, the dictator also laid flowers before others and wrote in the guest book.
He also praised the North Korean and Russian forces for fighting against what he dubbed a US-led Western “hegemonic plot and military adventurism”. Kim also described the military campaign as “a new history of friendship with Russia written in blood” and a “sacred war to wipe out the Ukrainian armed invaders”.
He reportedly told Russian officials, including Vyacheslav Volodin, speaker of the State Duma, and defence minister Andrei Belousov, that his country will continue to support Moscow in the war. In a letter read out during the ceremony, Russian leader Vladimir Putin said the new museum will be a “clear symbol of the friendship and solidarity” between the two countries.
According to Tass, Russia’s state news agency, Belousov told Kim that they were ready to sign a Russian-North Korean military cooperation plan. It will reportedly run from 2027 to 2031.
