Kim Jong Un decided to punish residents of North Korea discussing the country's participation in the war.

North Korea will punish citizens for spreading 'rumors' about dead soldiers from the war with Ukraine

North Korea has begun punishing citizens who spread 'rumors' about their soldiers who died in the war with Ukraine. Local residents are increasingly curious about the combat activities, although information control in the country is very strict, reports Newsweek.

According to assessments from the United States and South Korea, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has sent over 11,000 soldiers to the Kursk region of Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that about 4,000 North Korean military personnel have been killed or wounded in battles.

Local residents told reporters that they are worried about sending their fellow countrymen to the front. Therefore, the North Korean authorities have launched a campaign urging citizens to report the spread of 'rumors' about the war at workplaces and at meetings of local volunteer defense forces. They have been warned that there will also be punishments for concealing information.

'As news emerged that soldiers of the 11th Corps continue to die in Russia, the impression is created that they are trying to suppress these rumors,' a source in North Korea stated.

It is worth noting that in North Korea, violators of anti-state propaganda can face up to 10 years in prison or even the death penalty.

Local residents also reported that the authorities secretly issue death certificates for their relatives who died in battles in the Kursk region. They sadly say that their loved ones died during 'sacred military training in honor of the motherland.'

In addition, South Korea’s intelligence agency learned that North Korea has sent thousands of its workers to construction sites in Russia.

It should be noted that the arrival of North Korean workers in Russia indicates a violation by Russia of Resolution 2397, which prohibits North Korea from sending its citizens abroad for work. Moreover, all UN member states are required to repatriate all North Koreans working abroad by December 2019. It is likely that Russia is using student visas to evade this requirement.

'The resolution prohibits North Korea from sending its citizens abroad for work and obliges all UN member states to repatriate all North Koreans working abroad by December 2019. Russia is likely using student visas to conceal the violation of the resolution,' the statement said.

Previously, North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un stated that his country would continue to support Russia in its war against Ukraine, despite the losses among North Korean soldiers who participated in the battles in the Kursk region of Russia. This was reported by KCNA.

Additionally, according to military expert Vladislav Seleznyov, a former spokesman for the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the future combat experience against Ukraine may be used by North Korean soldiers against South Korea. He added that the best Ukrainian military are involved in battles in the Kursk region.