Russia has deployed over 10,000 North Korean troops to Ukraine due to shortages, with around 4,000 casualties. A Nikkei investigation reveals their emotional turmoil through personal notes and items reflecting loyalty to the Workers’ Party of Korea and aspirations for return. The findings include a self-critical note from a soldier and a motivational message attributed to Kim Jong Un.
In response to troop shortages, Russia has dispatched over 10,000 North Korean soldiers to the Ukraine warfront, with approximately 4,000 casualties reported. This raises poignant questions about the thoughts and emotions of these soldiers as they faced death far from their homeland.
A visual investigation conducted by Nikkei, in collaboration with Ukrainian authorities and an ex-North Korean soldier, reveals personal items and notes left by these fallen troops. Analyzed with the help of a South Korean translator familiar with North Korean culture, these documents reflect intense mental strain, unwavering loyalty to the Workers’ Party of Korea, and a flicker of hope for redemption.
Among the poignant findings is a note from a soldier named Jong Gyong Hong, discovered in Russia’s Kursk region. His letter expresses profound self-criticism for betraying the party’s trust, concluding with an aspiration to reunite with his “mother party” upon his return.
Additionally, a note attributed to “Kim Jong Un” was found, stating: “Come back home safe and sound. Never forget that I am always praying for your safe return.” While the authenticity of this note remains unverified, it serves as a striking emblem of encouragement for the soldiers engaged in the conflict.
The deployment of North Korean soldiers to the battlefield in Ukraine underscores the depths of Russia’s troop shortages. The personal notes and items recovered from fallen soldiers illustrate a complex interplay of loyalty, remorse, and an enduring hope for return. This somber visual investigation highlights the human emotions experienced in the face of war, reflecting the ideological indoctrination and personal struggles of these individuals.
Original Source: asia.nikkei.com
