North Korean soldiers join Russia frontline in Ukraine, get unrestricted Internet: ‘Gorging on pornography…’

North Korean soldiers deployed to fight alongside Russian forces in Ukraine now have unrestricted access to the Internet for the first time, and report have stated that may be using it to watch large amounts of adult content, Financial Times correspondent reported.

“A usually reliable source tells me that the North Korean soldiers who have deployed to Russia have never had unfettered access to the internet before. As a result, they are gorging on pornography,” Financial Times foreign affairs commentator Gideon Rachman said in a post on X. However, Rachman did not give any update on how his source could know the internet usage habits of the 10,000 North Korean soldiers.

Soldiers have been reportedly sent by Kim Jong Un to support Russia’s military efforts.

Speaking on the matter, Army Lt. Col. Charlie Dietz told Task & Purpose that, “As entertaining as that sounds, I can’t confirm any North Korean internet habits or virtual ‘extracurriculars’ in Russia.”

He further told Task & Purpose, “We’re focused on the more serious aspects of North Korea’s involvement, if any, in Russia’s military operations. As for internet access, that’s a question best directed to Moscow. Right now, our attention remains on supporting Ukraine and addressing the more significant regional security concerns.”

North Korean troops 1st clash with Ukraine forces in Russia

On November 6, North Korean troops clashed for the first time with Ukrainian forces in Russia's war against Ukraine, as per the New York Times with the report also stating that the troops are occupying a portion of Kursk region in Russia. This followed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirming the first combat engagement between North Korean troops and Ukrainian forces and he said that some 11,000 North Korean soldiers were already in Russia's Kursk region.

On Tuesday, South Korea's Defence Ministry said that some 10,000 North Korean troops have been deployed in Russia, with a "considerable" number of them having been dispatched to front-line areas, Yonhap reported. However, as per the presidential office on Wednesday the North Korean troops in Russia's western front have not yet engaged in full-fledged combat with Ukrainian forces, the South Korean news agency reported.

(With inputs from ANI)