**Two North Korean Soldiers Captured in Russia**
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced that two North Korean soldiers have been captured in Russia’s Kursk Oblast. The soldiers were part of a North Korean force sent to support Russian troops against Ukrainian forces.
**Talks Planned for Defection**
South Korea is in talks with Ukraine about the possibility of the captured soldiers defecting to South Korea. According to South Korean officials, since the entire Korean peninsula is considered part of their country’s territory, the captured soldiers are technically South Korean citizens. However, neither soldier has expressed a desire to be transferred to South Korea.
**Contact Between Seoul and Kyiv**
Seoul remains in contact with Kyiv about the situation regarding the captured North Korean soldiers. This comes after Ukraine launched an incursion against Russian forces last August. Ukrainian troops continue to operate in the region, potentially setting up future negotiations.
**Heavy Losses for North Korea**
South Korea’s National Intelligence Service estimates that over 300 North Korean soldiers have been killed and more than 2,700 wounded in fighting with Ukrainian forces. The service attributes these losses to inadequate training and ineffective tactics against drones. Some captured North Korean soldiers have even resorted to taking their own lives rather than surrendering, fearing severe retaliation from their families.
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