Insights into the Last Words of North Korean Soldiers in Ukraine War
Russia has sent over 10,000 North Korean troops to Ukraine due to troop shortages. About 4,000 have been killed or wounded. Personal notes from fallen soldiers reveal a mix of mental distress, loyalty to their regime, and a longing for home. One soldier’s note expresses regret, while a message purportedly from Kim Jong Un encourages their safe return.
Amid troop shortages, Russia has sent over 10,000 North Korean soldiers to participate in the Ukraine war, resulting in approximately 4,000 casualties. This situation raises questions about the mindset of these soldiers as they encounter death in a foreign land.
Nikkei reports having accessed photographs and personal items of fallen North Korean soldiers via the Ukrainian Special Operations Forces. These artifacts reveal signs of mental stress alongside a palpable loyalty to the Workers’ Party of Korea and a sense of hope.
In collaboration with Ukrainian authorities and a former North Korean soldier, Nikkei conducted a visual investigation into these belongings. One poignant note from a soldier named Jong Gyong Hong expresses deep self-criticism, stating, “I have betrayed the love and grace of the party…” He resolves to reunite with the party upon his return, demonstrating a complex mix of loyalty and regret.
Among the retrieved items was a note attributed to “Kim Jong Un” which encourages soldiers to “come back home safe and sound.” While the note’s authenticity remains unverified, its message offers a semblance of support and reminder of the home they represent.
The deployment of North Korean soldiers in the Ukraine war highlights the dire troop shortages faced by Russia. The personal notes and items retrieved from fallen soldiers reveal a harrowing mix of loyalty to their home regime and mental anguish. These insights not only underscore the psychological impact of warfare but also the complex realities faced by these troops in foreign combat.
Original Source: asia.nikkei.com
