Kim Jong Un says even those who failed to self-destruct are “party soldiers,” message seemingly aimed at POWs

North Korea has for the first time disclosed a message from its top leader defining even soldiers who were injured during fighting in Kursk — a border region between Russia and Ukraine and a major battleground — and failed to carry out “self-destruction or suicide” as “loyal fighters.”

Some analysts say the message may have been intended with two North Korean prisoners of war captured by Ukraine in mind. The two recently said in interviews with South Korean media that they regretted failing to carry out “self-destruction.” Observers cautiously suggested on April 28 that North Korea may be attempting to influence their thinking to prevent them from defecting to South Korea.

Kim Jong Un “those who self-destructed are heroes who upheld ‘great honor’” — justification of enforced death

Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers’ Party, made remarks related to self-destruction and suicide in a speech at the April 26 local time ceremony marking the first anniversary of the end of the “Kursk liberation operation.”

While footage released by Ukraine has previously shown North Korean troops dispatched to support Russia choosing extreme actions such as using grenades or firearms to avoid capture, this marks the first time North Korea’s top leader has publicly addressed the issue.

Kim said, “Those who chose without hesitation the path of self-destruction and suicide to uphold great honor are heroes.” The statement framed choosing death over survival as loyalty to the state.

The remarks also suggest that North Korea may have instructed deployed troops in advance to carry out self-destruction in certain situations.

Kim added, “Though the final moment lasted only a few minutes or seconds, in that brief instant the pure loyalty and true duty to the party and the country were clearly illuminated,” emphasizing “sacrifice without expectation of reward and devotion without compensation” as defining the military’s loyalty.

Previous foreign media reports have indicated that North Korean officers deployed to the Kursk region conducted ideological training, including verbal instructions to soldiers to choose death over capture.

“Even if they failed to self-destruct, they are ‘party soldiers’” — possible psychological impact on POWs captured in Ukraine

Kim also said, “Not only them, but also those who fell while charging at the front lines and those who struggled with frustration over failing to fulfill their duty as soldiers despite suffering wounds from gunfire are loyal fighters and patriots of the party.” The remarks praised injured soldiers who returned home as “party soldiers.”

This is seen as an effort to prevent declines in morale among wounded troops and their families, who may fear blame or punishment for failing to carry out self-destruction orders, while also boosting overall troop morale.

The timing of the remarks is drawing attention, as they came after North Korean prisoners captured by Ukrainian forces expressed remorse over not taking their own lives and indicated a desire to go to South Korea.

Two North Korean POWs were deployed to the Kursk battle after being sent abroad in October 2024 and were captured by Ukraine in January 2025. Ukrainian authorities disclosed their existence shortly after capture through X, formerly Twitter.

In March last year, one of the prisoners first expressed intent to defect to South Korea, followed by the second in October after deliberation, confirming that both wished to go to South Korea.

However, in a January broadcast of MBC’s “PD Notebook,” they said, “Others all self-destructed to avoid capture, but I could not because my grenade fell. It is uncomfortable to be alive,” and “If you become a prisoner, it is like being a traitor, so if I return to North Korea, my family, relatives and friends would all be punished,” indicating fear of punishment as a reason for seeking to go to South Korea.

As a result, Kim’s statement that “even those who failed to self-destruct are party soldiers and patriots” may be intended to signal that they could return home if they change their minds. It is also possible that such a message from the top leadership could have been conveyed to Ukraine through Russia.

North Korea has in the past presented defectors who returned or were forcibly repatriated from countries such as China or Southeast Asia, publicly emphasizing that they had repented and would be treated leniently. Analysts say similar messaging could be aimed at POWs in Ukraine to create psychological pressure by suggesting they could return if they show remorse.

Ukraine has maintained that POWs it captures should be used primarily to secure the return of Ukrainian prisoners held by Russia. Depending on North Korea’s stance, the situation regarding potential transfer of these POWs to South Korea could shift significantly.

North Korean POWs are in a unique legal position as prisoners of war under international law while also being considered citizens under South Korea’s Constitution. As a result, diplomatic negotiations between the government and Ukrainian authorities are key to their transfer.

The government said it is making multifaceted efforts to secure the transfer of North Korean POWs, adhering to the principle that they are citizens under the Constitution and will be accepted if they request to go to South Korea. It also said it cannot accept forced repatriation to Russia or North Korea against their will and will provide necessary protection and support in accordance with relevant laws.

The government added that it has already conveyed this position to Ukraine and will continue consultations as needed.