Letter from Deceased North Korean Soldier Found in Kursk: ‘In the Arms of My Parents’

The Ukrainian Special Operations Forces have uncovered and shared a handwritten letter found on a fallen North Korean soldier in Russia’s Kursk region.

On Tuesday, the letter was shared on social media, beginning with a heartfelt opening: “My dear comrade Song Ji Myung, celebrating your birthday here on Russian soil, far from our beloved Korea and the warm embrace of our parents…”

The ballpoint-ink letter dated December 9 expresses sincere birthday wishes and hopes for good health. It appears to be an unsent letter or a draft that never reached its intended recipient.

The Ukrainian Special Operations Forces identified the soldier as “Jung Kyung Hong” using his passport.

In a stark statement, they warned: “Instead of celebrating with cake and candles, you’re wielding machine guns and digging trenches on foreign soil. Your birthday party might end up with Ukrainian 5.56mm rounds instead of candles.”

The officials added that the letter was part of a decrypted notebook captured from the battlefield. They noted, “We’re currently translating more entries, and additional information will be released soon.”

Meanwhile, Russian forces are intensifying efforts to push Ukrainian troops out of the Kursk region.

Approximately 11,000 North Korean soldiers have been deployed to this area since the start of the month, engaging in combat operations. This deployment has led to a sharp rise in casualties.

On Monday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported on X that North Korean casualties in the Kursk region have already surpassed 3,000, including both fatalities and injuries.