While Ukraine, South Korea, and U.S. authorities report numerous North Korean military casualties in Russia daily, with Ukraine citing 3,000 casualties as of December 23, North Korean authorities maintain strict information control. They label all deployment-related information as "rumors," investigating anyone who discusses or inquires about it. (KANG Ji-won / ISHIMARU Jiro)
◆ "Nobody Knows About the Deaths. It's Like Dying Like Dogs"
Following President Zelenskyy's December 14 announcement of significant North Korean losses, reports of casualties continue from South Korean and U.S. authorities. On December 23, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff reported "approximately 1,100 North Korean casualties from engagement with Ukrainian forces."
Ukraine has released footage showing Asian-looking combatants fleeing drone attacks. Unverified photos of deceased North Korean soldiers are circulating online.
When ASIAPRESS informed a North Hamgyong Province source about the casualties, they responded on December 23:
"Nobody knows about our soldiers dying in Russia. It would be devastating for parents to know. It's truly like dying like dogs. The country will call them heroes, give special treatment to families of the fallen, but what good is that when your son is dead?"
◆ Growing Anxiety Among Soldiers' Parents
A Ryanggang Province source reports increasing anxiety among parents of soldiers. Regardless of Russian deployment status, parents are frantically contacting units by mail and phone, requesting visits to check on their sons.
"Parents can't sleep from worry. Controls are extremely strict now. Even asking about Russian deployment leads to investigation for 'spreading rumors,' so people avoid mentioning it."
It's only a matter of time before information about numerous North Korean casualties reaches the country through Korean-language radio broadcasts.
※ ASIAPRESS communicates with its reporting partners through Chinese cell phones smuggled into North Korea.
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