— We believe that they withdrew due to dense losses,” added Kindratenko. The retreat of North Koreans has already been reported, among others, by the fresh York Times.
“Who cannot sacrifice besides many soldiers”
— It is clear that Kim cannot sacrifice besides many soldiers to not be under interior pressure. If the losses are besides large, it can lead to Russia being supplied with only weapons,” explains Frederic Spohr, North Korea expert and manager of the Friedrich Naumanna Foundation in South Korea.
According to South Korea, Ukraine and the USA, North Korea has provided Vladimir Putin with about 11,000 troops since October 2024. They were to aid regain the territory which has been under Ukrainian control since August. However, Kim Jong Un has already suffered thousands of casualties, both wounded and killed.
“ The fact that the North Koreans will actually retreat has not yet been yet assessed, ” notes Frederic Spohr of the Friedrich Naumanna Foundation, pointing out that a break in battles can only be tactical and service to complement forces.
On the another hand, it is certain that the North Korean dictator, as always, keeps his nation in ignorance of the number of victims Pjongyang bears on the front in Ukraine.
According to Spohr, North Korean state media “have not yet reported that North Korean soldiers are fighting war. Although the government has repeatedly cited Russian-North Korean relationship in fresh months, it has said nothing about troops fighting in Ukraine."
Kim Jong Un has a problem in his own backyard
— How to deal with possibly very large losses and how to explain them to a society and mourned can be a problem for the regime. He wants to avoid anxiety and instability at all costs, says an expert on the North Korean dictator’s actions.
KCNA VIA KNS / AFP, STR/AFP/East News / East NewsKim Jong Un
The first reports of North Korean troops being sent to Russia came in late October. Putin and Kim agreed earlier last June to strengthen their cooperation in the military sector. Partnership agreement between Russia and North Korea was ratified by Putin in November 2024.
Initial reports from the front indicated that North Korean soldiers were not acquainted with the modern battlefield. In particular, they were not to deal with the drones that wreak havoc, shooting North Koreans out of the air.
Kim Jong's soldiers most likely besides did not have dense equipment and had problems communicating with Russian troops. In October One of the troops was about to be abandoned in the woods. and found himself respective twelve kilometers from his first position.
Ukrainians, on the another hand, agree that North Korean soldiers make up for their shortcomings with good training and mobilization to fight.
Although the Koreans have been forced to retreat for the time being, their continued engagement in Putin's invasion of Ukraine must be taken into account. The scale of Kim Jong Un's commitment will most likely depend on how generous the Kremlin offer will be able to offer North Korean dictator. We know that Pyongyang due to global isolation suffering from shortages of virtually all products, including food.
