A North Korean soldier deployed to Russia reportedly admitted to stealing from Russian troops and was found carrying a fake ID, according to newly released information by Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces (SOF). A captured Russian soldier also testified that communication issues with North Korean soldiers posed significant challenges.
On January 8, the SOF shared additional details from a notebook belonging to the deceased North Korean soldier identified as “Jung Kyung-hong,” who was killed during combat in the Kursk region of Russia. The newly revealed notes, written in blue ink, reportedly contain the soldier’s detailed confession of misconduct.
The SOF described the latest revelation as the second confession found in Jung’s notebook, suggesting that the soldier meticulously documented his offenses. The notebook reportedly provides a detailed account of criminal activities, adding to earlier evidence shared by the SOF.
Since late December, the SOF has released a series of materials, including photos of Jung’s corpse, a fake ID bearing his name, and excerpts from his diary and notebook. The SOF previously claimed that Jung had been sent to Russia after committing crimes in North Korea, indicating that his deployment was part of a punitive measure.
In a note titled Monthly Self-Criticism, Jung reportedly admitted to stealing from Russian soldiers despite being instructed by “Supreme Commander Kim Jong-un” to uphold the honor of the nation and demonstrate the bravery of North Korean special forces. The SOF emphasized that the note highlights the soldier’s failure to adhere to these orders.
This revelation further underscores the tensions and issues faced by North Korean troops deployed alongside Russian forces in the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict.
BY YOUNGNAM KIM [kim.youngnam@koreadaily.com]
