Russia has deployed over 10,000 North Korean soldiers to Ukraine, with around 4,000 casualties. Nikkei obtained personal items and notes from fallen soldiers, indicating mental duress and loyalty to the Workers’ Party of Korea. One soldier, Jong Gyong Hong, expressed regret in his last note, while an unverified note from Kim Jong Un offered encouragement.
In a significant development regarding the Ukraine war, Russia has reportedly mobilized over 10,000 North Korean soldiers due to troop shortages, with approximately 4,000 casualties recorded. This raises the question of what thoughts and emotions these soldiers experienced as they met their fate on foreign soil.
The Nikkei has collaborated with Ukrainian Special Operations Forces to obtain photographs capturing letters and personal items left behind by deceased North Korean soldiers. Analyzing these artifacts, with the help of a South Korean translator familiar with North Korean cultural nuances, reveals intense psychological distress alongside unwavering loyalty to the Workers’ Party of Korea and a glimmer of hope.
In an investigative feature, Nikkei, in partnership with Ukrainian authorities and a former North Korean soldier, delves into the sentiment expressed in these items. One poignant note from a soldier named Jong Gyong Hong, discovered in the Kursk region of Russia, reflects deep self-recrimination: “I have betrayed the love and grace of the party and turned my back on the grace of the supreme commander.” The note concludes with his hopeful intention to return to the “mother party.”
Among the retrieved belongings was a note purportedly signed by Kim Jong Un, stating: “Come back home safe and sound. Never forget that I am always praying for your safe return.” Although the note’s authenticity remains unverified, the message serves as a notable source of encouragement for those engaged in battle.
The deployment of North Korean soldiers in the Ukraine conflict highlights the significant human cost of warfare, as depicted through the poignant notes and personal items left behind. Their reflections reveal a mixture of loyalty, regret, and hope that transcends borders, underscoring the profound psychological effects of such military engagements. Furthermore, the unverified note attributed to Kim Jong Un symbolizes the complex ties binding these soldiers to their homeland, even amidst the harsh realities of battle.
Original Source: asia.nikkei.com
