Russia, which initially denied the presence of North Korean troops on its soil, has finally acknowledged their deployment. During a press conference at the BRICS summit on the 24th of last month, Russian President Vladimir Putin indirectly confirmed reports of North Korean troop dispatches by saying, “What We do with North Korea is our business.’ Additionally,
on the 1st, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov expressed gratitude to North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui in Moscow. highlighting the “very close relationship” between Russian and North Korean special services. With North Korea’s involvement on the Russian battlefield now clear, the international community warns of the potential risks this development brings.
North Korea has reportedly dispatched around 15,000 troops to Russia, seeking to secure vast amounts of foreign currency and advanced military technology in exchange for their soldiers’ lives. The Kim regime aims to acquire everything from stealth fighters and advanced missiles to reconnaissance satellites and even nuclear submarines, all in pursuit of modernizing North Korea’s military. This deployment may also have been deemed essential for responding jointly with Russia to the United States and South Korea, and ultimately, Kim Jong Un is looking to sustain his regime through Russian support.
While the Kim regime demands loyalty and sacrifices from the troops dispatched, the
reality is far bleaker. Many of the North Korean soldiers on Russian battlefields are
from the so-called “Jangmadang generation,”‘ raised amid economic hardship and a reliance on markets, with little to no government assistance. These young people, forcibly conscripted, now find themselves in a foreign land, risking their lives in a war that’s not their own.
There is significant discontent among these soldiers. Reports indicate that the North Korean government receives about $2,000 per month per soldier sent to Russia, yet this money goes directly to Kim Jong Un. If this compensation were used to support their families, it might inspire some willingness to fight. But given that all their earnings are pocketed by Kim Jong Un, what incentive do they have to risk their lives sincerely?
The reality for North Korean soldiers on the Russian front is one of unending fatigue, isolation in a foreign land, and a brutal fight for survival. The Kim regime forces them to “serve the country,” yet this is simply a means of ensuring their own survival. Now, these soldiers face a momentous opportunity to break free from the exploitation disguised as patriotism and choose a path toward personal freedom.
Choosing Freedom Over Loyalty to Kim Jong Un
For the North Korean soldiers deployed to Russia, this foreign battlefield presents an
unprecedented opportunity to escape the oppressive regime and seek a new life. They are not mere pawns for Kim Jong Un; as individuals, they can think freely and choose a life where they take control of their own destinies. The future promised by Kim Jong Un offers nothing but a perilous battlefield abroad.
Moreover, it’s known that Kim’s regime has forcibly relocated the families of deployed
soldiers to remote mountain areas to keep the deployment secret. Only by leaving behind this injustice and choosing their path can they truly experience the value of freedom.
One’s life should not be wagered on hollow loyalty to Kim Jong Un. Returning to North Korea only means facing forced labor in mines and rural areas after a 10-year military service. Only in a free country can they unlock their potential and uphold their dignity. Choosing defection would also open a path for their families in North Korea to someday experience freedom and hope.
The Courage to Defect: A Choice for Freedom and Peace
Defection is not just an act of escaping North Korea’s system; it’s a courageous step toward a new future. Though it involves risks, defection offers freedom, peace, and security for one’s fiture.
One person’s courageous choice can challenge the oppression and injustice of North Korea’s regime, inspiring new possibilities for others.
The international community stands ready to support North Korean soldiers who choose to defect, ensuring their safety and providing programs to help them adapt to a new environment. With vocational training, psychological counseling, and social integration support, defectors are empowered to start a new life,
For North Korean soldiers on the Russian front, life itself is more important than loyalty to Kim Jong Un’s regime As someone who has chosen a free life, I urge You: “Choose your own life and leave Kim’s regime in pursuit of true freedom and peace!”
World Institute for North Korea Studies Director Chung Eui-sung (North Korea defector)
