Wounded in Kursk

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The North Korean fought on Russia's side and has now become a prisoner of war.(Bild: telegram.com/Политика Страны)

For the first time, a wounded North Korean soldier has been captured by Ukrainian forces - but he is said to have died a short time later. The capture took place in the Kursk region.

"Through real-time information exchange with the intelligence service of an allied country, it was confirmed that a wounded North Korean soldier was captured," explained the South Korean intelligence service. 

Condition of the soldier uncertain
A suspected picture of the soldier, which was circulated on Ukrainian social media channels, shows an emaciated, wounded man.

A picture of the allegedly arrested soldier has been circulating on social media: 

The North Korean is said to have been arrested on Thursday by special forces in the Russian region of Kursk, where Ukraine captured and occupied territory during an offensive. He is said to have succumbed to his injuries on Friday, according to South Korea's Yonhap news agency, citing the South Korean secret service. There has been no confirmation of the incident from either North Korea or Ukraine. 

More than 10,000 North Koreans in Russia
This is likely to be the first case of a North Korean soldier being arrested since the isolated country's ruler Kim Jong-un made around 10,000 fighters available to Russia. Previously, Moscow and Pyongyang had signed a defense pact committing both countries to come to each other's aid in the event of an attack.