According to Japanese media reports, North Korea has revealed the identities of Russian soldiers for the first time. A "Memorial Wall" has been installed, featuring photos and names of 101 individuals, but this number is significantly lower compared to the estimated 600 deaths identified by South Korea's National Intelligence Service, indicating that North Korea may be deliberately underreporting casualties.
On August 22, the official newspaper of the Workers' Party of Korea, "Rodong Sinmun," reported that Chairman Kim Jong Un awarded state commendations to North Korean military personnel stationed overseas at the Central Committee Command in Pyongyang. The article stated that photos and names of 101 deceased soldiers were displayed on a "Memorial Wall" established by the Central Committee. Specific casualty numbers have not been disclosed, and it seems unlikely that there are other memorial spaces besides this "Memorial Wall."
In response, the South Korean National Intelligence Service estimated in a report submitted to the National Assembly on April 30 that the number of North Korean casualties sent to Russia was approximately 4,700, with around 600 deaths. North Korea dispatched about 11,000 troops to Russia in October 2024, and added more than 3,000 personnel earlier this year, totaling about 15,000 troops. The National Intelligence Service provided these figures after cross-verifying information with intelligence agencies from Ukraine and other countries.
Regarding the reason for the low number of casualties disclosed by North Korea, some pointed out that it might be difficult to recover bodies from the front lines, which could be considered as "missing," or there may not have been enough socially disadvantaged soldiers who were respected. Another analysis suggests that the authorities, prioritizing regime stability, attempt to suppress dissatisfaction with the Kim Jong Un regime by minimizing the reported casualties.
Kim Seong-mok, Director of the Center for Unified Strategy at the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses, analyzed: "War casualties themselves become a burden on the system, so the numbers are suppressed."
Additionally, Professor Kim Dong-yeop from the Pyongyang Graduate University noted, "It is difficult to accurately determine the number of war deaths, and what is important is the fact that troops were deployed."
On that day, the North Korean leader stated, "This is a serious measure to advance the project of recording the achievements of veterans as a national project," and it is possible that the identities of the fallen may be disclosed in the future.
At a regular press conference, Deputy Minister of the South Korean Ministry of Unification, Jang Yun-jong, said, "We will not predict the end of the deployment or additional disclosures of war casualties, and we will closely monitor related developments."
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1841384321873920/
Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.