＜Inside N. Korea＞ Explaining the Ukraine War to Citizens: "Russia's Patriotic War," "A Favorable Situation for Our Revolution" - Silence on Troop Deployment and Casualties

◆ "Is the Lecture Because Many Soldiers Have Died?" - Some Reactions

How did the citizens who attended the lecture receive it?

The reporting partner said, "Since opportunities to hear external information are rare, everyone listened attentively. Some people expressed admiration, saying that our country is playing an important role thanks to Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un's outstanding leadership."

On the other hand, the reporting partner added, "Some people secretly discussed among acquaintances, 'Aren't they giving this lecture to explain why we're participating because many of our soldiers have died?'"

◆ Troop Deployment to Russia Announced, Mass Casualties Concealed

South Korea's National Intelligence Service estimates that North Korea has deployed about 15,000 troops to Russia in two rounds, with approximately 4,700 casualties including 600 deaths.

North Korean authorities maintained silence about the deployment until April 28, when they revealed the fact of participation through state media. The Rodong Sinmun newspaper reported that Kim Jong-un "decided on the participation of our forces" in accordance with the "Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty" signed between North Korea and Russia in June last year.

The newspaper also conveyed Kim Jong-un's statements that "those who fought for justice are all heroes and representatives of the homeland's honor," and that "important national measures should be taken to specially favor and care for the families of war veterans."

◆ What's the Purpose of the "Current Affairs Lecture"?

The North Korean regime will likely acknowledge to some extent the casualties among deployed soldiers in the future. The purpose of this "current affairs lecture" can be presumed to justify the sacrifices made in participating in a war in another region, rather than for the defense of their own country. Furthermore, it was likely intended to promote their foreign policy of continuing close relations with Russia rather than improving relations with the United States, South Korea, and Japan.

Additionally, ASIAPRESS has not yet received information about similar "current affairs lectures" being conducted in other regions or organizations at this time. However, given the content, it is difficult to think it was targeted at specific regions or specific residents, and there is a possibility that it was conducted extensively and simultaneously.

※ ASIAPRESS communicates with its reporting partners through Chinese cell phones smuggled into North Korea.