North Korean troops in Ukraine kill themselves to avoid being caught, showing how loyal they are to Kim Jong Un’s government.
- Soldiers from North Korea were sent to Ukraine to help Russia.
- A lot of deaths because people weren’t ready for modern war.
- Being captured was seen as treason, which led to extreme actions like suicide.
What took place this week in Russia’s Kursk region?
In Russia’s snowy Kursk region, Ukrainian special forces saw a very scary scene. They found more than a dozen dead North Korean forces after a fight.
As the Ukrainians got closer, one of the soldiers set off a bomb, killing himself but not hurting the Ukrainians.
Why do North Korean troops have to be in Ukraine?
Reports say that North Korea has sent about 11,000 forces to help Russia in its war in Ukraine. This is the country’s first big military action since the Korean War.
These troops are stationed in the Kursk area, which is where Ukraine made an unexpected attack last year.
What drives North Korean forces to do terrible things?
Reports from defectors and spy agencies say that North Korean forces are taught to put their loyalty to Kim Jong Un above all else.
A lot of them are ready to die, even if it means self-detonating or committing suicide, to stay alive and protect their families back home.
How well do North Korean troops do in modern war?
Lawmakers and experts in South Korea say that North Korean forces are not ready for modern battles like drone attacks.
The fact that so many of them have died suggests that Russia is using them as “cannon fodder” and doesn’t care about their safety.
What do North Korean troops who have been taken say?
Ukraine just recently put out videos of two North Korean forces they had caught. One said they wanted to stay in Ukraine, and the other said they wanted to go back home.
These pictures show how hard it is on North Korean soldiers’ minds because they know terrible things will happen if they don’t do what they’re told.
How does North Korea’s media talk about its army?
It is said in North Korean state media that the military is “the strongest in the world.” Videos used for propaganda show troops training in the middle of winter, but the truth on the ground is different.
Many troops don’t have the skills and gear they need to fight in today’s wars.
What could happen to North Korean troops if they are caught?
For North Korean troops, being caught is the same as treason and comes with harsh punishments for them and their families.
People who have defected say that soldiers are taught to use their “last bullet” to avoid being caught at all costs.
What is Ukraine doing about the North Korean troops it captured?
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy of Ukraine has offered to give Kim Jong Un back the captured North Korean soldiers in exchange for Ukrainians who are being held captive in Russia.
But for many North Korean soldiers, going home could mean being put to death or jail.
How does this affect North Korea’s plans to use force in the future?
The United States has said that North Korea’s role in Ukraine could make it easier for it to start a fight with one of its rivals.
The military could improve its strategies by learning from modern fighting, even though it kills a lot of people.
Exactly why do North Korean soldiers kill themselves?
- Why do North Korean forces try to avoid being caught?
- Capturing someone is considered a crime and can lead to death or jail time.
- What will happen to their families if they are caught?
- Families can be jailed or killed if they don’t follow the rules.
- Are they taught to set off their own bombs?
- Yes, troops are told to use bombs or their “last bullet.”
- What does this say about Kim Jong Un’s government?
- It shows how fear and lies can make people very loyal.