Quick access to main page (top) Direct access to main contents Quick access to main page (bottom)

North Korea Forces Families to Sign Confidentiality Agreements Over Deceased Soldiers

Daniel Kim Views  

A Telegram post shows a suspected North Korean prisoner of the Ukrainian forces.
A Telegram post shows a suspected North Korean prisoner of the Ukrainian forces.

North Korean authorities have reportedly demanded families of soldiers killed in Russia sign confidentiality agreements in exchange for certificates of martyrdom.

Radio Free Asia (RFA) reported on Thursday that North Korean authorities are refraining from informing the public about casualties among the soldiers sent to Russia. They called on the individual bereaved families to present them with certificates of martyrdom.

These certificates serve as official death notices for troops killed in combat or training. Families of the deceased receive preferential treatment and benefits from the state.

A source from South Pyongan Province informed Radio Free Asia that they and their mother were summoned to an event in Pyongsong, where officials presented them with a certificate of martyrdom for the source’s brother. During the event, officials stated that the brother had died “during sacred combat training for the motherland’s honor.”

About a dozen bereaved families attended, with most casualties reportedly from North Korea’s elite Storm Corps special forces unit.

The source also mentioned that families suspected their loved ones had died in Russia, but authorities required them to sign non-disclosure agreements. According to the source, the families left the event in tears.

Another source from the same region reported a similar ceremony in Deokcheon City last week. The source noted that it was unusual for party officials to handle the notifications–a duty generally assigned to military personnel–without explaining the circumstances.

When a North Korean troop dies during training or in accidents, the families are provided with death notices or certificates of martyrdom with the cause of their death and location by their units.

“Only one or two martyrdom certificates are awarded annually. Seeing over ten in one area this month has fueled speculation about higher casualty rates among deployed troops,” the source said.

“Despite government efforts to control information, public anger is growing over young soldiers being used as ‘cannon fodder’ for foreign currency,” they added.

North Korea reportedly deployed about 12,000 troops to the Kursk region to support Russia’s war in Ukraine in October.

U.S. officials have estimated that over 1,000 North Korean soldiers have been killed or wounded in the conflict, assessing their combat effectiveness as limited.

Daniel Kim
content@viewusglobal.com

Comments0

300

Comments0

[DEBATE] Latest Stories

  • China Hits Back at Hollywood as Trade War With Trump Heats Up
  • Model 3's Struggles: 1 in 4 Fail Safety Inspections in Denmark and Germany
  • Xiaomi’s Success vs. Apple’s Failure: What’s the Difference?
  • Trump Defends Tesla, Promises Action Against Violent Attacks
  • Ford's Bold Move: Will the Mustang Evolve into a Sedan with the Mach 4 Name?
  • Revival of the Estima? Toyota’s Sienna May Re-enter Japan's Market

You May Also Like

  • 1
    Doctors Urge Caution as Killer Bacteria Found in Warm Seawater

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 2
    Deadly Mosquito Alert Hits Just in Time for Japan’s Spring Travel Boom

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 3
    Diabetes Is Rising Fast in Young People — Here's What You Can Do

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 4
    We Tried a Week of Nothing but Protein Shakes—Here’s What Happened

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 5
    New Study Finds Gene That Could Ease Allergies in Kid

    LIFESTYLE 

Popular Now

  • 1
    Purple Carrots Are Making a Comeback—and Here’s Why You Should Care

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 2
    Beat Those Chills Without Pills: 5 Things You Can Do at Home

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 3
    New Study Says You Can Slim Down and Save Your Bones—Here’s How

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 4
    Thyroid in Overdrive? Check Your Iodine—It Might Be the Culprit

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 5
    Instant Noodles Got You Bloated? These Tiny Tomatoes Could Save the Day

    LIFESTYLE 

Must-Reads

  • 1
    Doctors Urge Caution as Killer Bacteria Found in Warm Seawater

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 2
    Deadly Mosquito Alert Hits Just in Time for Japan’s Spring Travel Boom

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 3
    Diabetes Is Rising Fast in Young People — Here's What You Can Do

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 4
    We Tried a Week of Nothing but Protein Shakes—Here’s What Happened

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 5
    New Study Finds Gene That Could Ease Allergies in Kid

    LIFESTYLE 

Popular Now

  • 1
    Purple Carrots Are Making a Comeback—and Here’s Why You Should Care

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 2
    Beat Those Chills Without Pills: 5 Things You Can Do at Home

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 3
    New Study Says You Can Slim Down and Save Your Bones—Here’s How

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 4
    Thyroid in Overdrive? Check Your Iodine—It Might Be the Culprit

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 5
    Instant Noodles Got You Bloated? These Tiny Tomatoes Could Save the Day

    LIFESTYLE 

Share it on...