North Korean Soldiers in Ukraine: No Desire to Defect

Two North Korean soldiers, fighting alongside Russia in Ukraine, haven't shown interest in seeking asylum in South Korea, according to Seoul's spy agency. Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said one soldier wants to stay in Ukraine, while the other wants to return home. Zelenskyy is ready to exchange them for Ukrainian POWs in Russia. South Korea's spy agency believes about 300 North Korean soldiers have died in combat, struggling with modern warfare and harsh terrain. They were ordered to suicide before capture. Their involvement in the Ukraine crisis is seen as a potential threat to South Korea.

North Korean soldiers might not be ready for Ukraine's battlefields. They're used to North Korea's mountains, not Ukraine's open fields. Adding to their challenges, they're commandeered by Russian forces, following unfamiliar tactics. Plus, their training might be lacking due to North Korea's economic struggles.

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