North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has publicly confirmed that his soldiers are instructed to commit suicide on the battlefield to avoid capture by Ukrainian forces. This acknowledgement came during the inauguration of a memorial museum in Pyongyang dedicated to North Korean troops killed while fighting in Russia's war against Ukraine.
Deployment and casualties
An estimated 15,000 North Korean soldiers have been deployed to support Russian combat operations, with nearly 2,000 reportedly killed. Kim Jong Un praised the 'extraordinary heroism' of troops who chose 'self-blasting, suicide attack' to defend their country's honour.
Future military cooperation
North Korea and Russia are set to sign a new military cooperation agreement for 2027-2031, further cementing their defence ties amidst Pyongyang's ongoing missile tests and increased nuclear activities. The announcement underscores the deepening alliance between the two nations as the war in Ukraine continues.
