North Korean leader confirms soldier “self-blasting” policy in Ukraine war

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has confirmed a policy reportedly requiring soldiers to take their own lives on the battlefield to avoid capture while fighting in Russia’s war against Ukraine.

According to Bloomberg, Kim made the remarks during a ceremony in Pyongyang marking the inauguration of a memorial dedicated to North Korean personnel who died in combat operations linked to the war in Ukraine.

The report, citing the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), said Kim referred on multiple occasions to soldiers who had “self-blasted” during fighting.

As noted, the statement was made during a ceremony in Pyongyang marking the opening of a memorial dedicated to participants in combat operations in the Kursk region.

Kim Jong Un described the fallen servicemen as heroes, stating that they “unhesitatingly opted for self-blasting, suicide attack, in order to defend the great honor” and did not expect any reward for their actions.

Details regarding the nature of North Korea’s involvement in the conflict have not been disclosed in public sources, with available information limited to official statements and reports from the parties involved.