Ukraine Forces Release Additional Materials Presumed to Be North Korean Military Diaries
"The crime I committed cannot be forgiven, but my homeland has given me a new chance in life."
Ukraine has released the diary of a North Korean soldier who was deployed to Russia and died. Yonhap News Agency reported on the 28th (local time), citing Ukraine's Special Operations Forces (SOF), the diary of North Korean junior soldier Jeong Gyeong-hong, who died in the Kursk region of Russia.
The Ukrainian Special Operations Forces (SOF) shared a portion of a notebook that belonged to a North Korean soldier named Jeong Gyeong-hong, who was killed by the Ukrainian military in Kursk, Russia, under the title "Kim Jong-un's Red Special Forces." Ukraine SOF Telegram
Earlier, on the 24th, SOF first disclosed an ID card bearing Jeong Gyeong-hong’s name, photos of his body, and a diary beginning with “Beloved homeland, dear father and mother.” On the 26th, they also released notes containing the so-called ‘drone hunting method.’
The diary released this time by SOF highlights a point that some North Korean soldiers may be former criminals who were promised amnesty or sentence reductions upon returning home.
Jeong Gyeong-hong wrote in the diary, “I lived freely under the benevolent care of the Party. I received more love unknowingly than knowingly.” He also wrote, “Defending the homeland is the sacred duty of a citizen,” and “Dear Supreme Commander Comrade (omitted) I wore the revolutionary military uniform.” He continued, “I was blessed with the opportunity to be promoted to platoon sergeant, but I betrayed the Party’s love and committed an ungrateful act against the Supreme Commander Comrade.” He concluded the diary by saying, “If I succeed here and return to the homeland, I will petition the Mother Party.”
(This photo is not directly related to the article.) A suspected North Korean soldier under attack by Ukrainian forces in Kursk, Russia. Screenshot from footage released by the Ukrainian military.
Jeong Gyeong-hong did not mention in the diary what he planned to petition the Party for. Although he was introduced as a private (Ibyeong) in South Korea, he mentioned having the opportunity to be promoted to platoon sergeant. This suggests that despite having a considerable military career, he may have been demoted to private due to some circumstances.
The Ukrainian military pointed out, “According to the letter’s content, North Korea deployed not just ordinary soldiers but elite combatants to Russia.”
Jeong Gyeong-hong also wrote, “In this operation, I will run at the very front of the formation, and even if it costs my life, I will absolutely and thoroughly obey the orders of the Supreme Commander Comrade,” and “We will show the world the undefeated bravery and sacrifice of Kim Jong-un’s Red Special Forces.”
South Korea and the United States estimate that North Korea has deployed up to 12,000 troops to Russia, and those stationed in Kursk have been actively engaged in combat with Ukrainian forces. Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed on the 23rd that North Korean casualties have already exceeded 3,000.
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