North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has praised soldiers who reportedly killed themselves on the battlefield rather than risk capture while fighting alongside Russia in the war against Ukraine.
In a speech delivered সোমবার in Pyongyang, Kim described troops who “unhesitatingly opted for self-blasting” using grenades as “heroes” who defended the nation’s honour. His remarks appear to confirm long-standing claims that North Korean soldiers are instructed to take their own lives if capture becomes imminent.
South Korean officials estimate that around 15,000 North Korean troops have been deployed to support Russian forces, particularly in efforts to reclaim territory in the Kursk region. Of those, more than 6,000 are believed to have been killed, although neither Pyongyang nor Moscow has officially confirmed these figures.
According to intelligence agencies and defectors, North Korean soldiers are trained under strict doctrines that consider surrender an act of treason. This culture has reportedly contributed to extreme battlefield আচরণ, including suicide attacks and self-detonation.
During the ceremony, which included the unveiling of a memorial for fallen troops, Kim praised what he called “self-sacrifice expecting no compensation” and “devotion expecting no reward,” describing such acts as the highest form of loyalty.
The event was attended by senior Russian officials, including Defence Minister Andrey Belousov and parliamentary speaker Vyacheslav Volodin, underscoring growing ties between the two countries.
Earlier reports have supported these claims. South Korea’s National Intelligence Service said it had recovered notes from deceased North Korean soldiers suggesting they were under orders to avoid capture at all costs. এছাড়া, a televised interview by South Korean broadcaster MBC featured a captured North Korean soldier expressing regret for not taking his own life, saying others had “blown themselves up.”
Kim also paid tribute to those killed in combat, describing them as loyal patriots regardless of whether they died in battle or felt they had failed their assigned missions.
The comments come amid deepening military cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow. In June 2024, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Kim signed a mutual defence agreement pledging support in the event of external aggression. North Korea has also reportedly committed to sending workers to assist in reconstruction efforts in Russian-controlled areas.
The developments highlight the intensifying alliance between the two nations, as well as the কঠোর military doctrine guiding North Korean troops involved in the conflict.