North Korea sends non-elite troops to aid Russia in Ukraine - WSJ
Illustrative photo (Getty Images)
North Korean troops are approaching the front line between Russia and Ukraine, but according to military analysts, they are not considered the elite forces of Kim Jong Un’s army, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Intelligence and video footage indicate that many soldiers are teenagers and young men likely in the early stages of their service. These troops appear relatively short and thin, reflecting North Korea’s food shortage issues.
The soldiers have trained in the mountainous regions of South Korea, focusing on special forces operations, which are not ideally suited for the flat terrain in Ukraine. Their equipment is outdated, and they may never have left North Korea before. South Korean Defense Minister Kim Young Hyun referred to them as “mere cannon fodder mercenaries.”
Estimates from the United States, South Korea, and Ukraine suggest that approximately 3,000 North Korean soldiers arrived in Russia this month, with some already spotted in the Kursk region near the Ukrainian border.
Former South Korean official James JB Park suggests that Kim Jong Un may be testing Russia’s response to North Korean involvement by initially sending less experienced soldiers. He believes this could “pave the way for the more experienced ones” if Moscow demands further reinforcements.
It remains unclear what role North Korean troops might play in the conflict. If Russia uses North Korean ammunition, they could observe drone operations and data gathering. According to the United States and NATO, direct combat involvement by North Korea would mark a major escalation in the conflict. Analyst Samuel Cranny-Evans notes that the initial deployment in Kursk could be positioned as a defensive measure.
South Korean intelligence reports that the political impact of possible frontline losses in North Korea would be limited due to the isolation of soldiers’ families. According to their data, North Korea could send up to 10,000 troops by December. Although Kim Jong Un often refers to his military as “the strongest in the world,” the country has not participated in major conflicts since the Korean War from 1950-1953.
North Korean soldiers in Russia
North Korea has sent its soldiers to Russia to support the war against Ukraine.
According to the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense, some North Korean troops are already stationed in the Kursk direction. Putin stated that this deployment is linked to the “strategic partnership agreement” between Russia and North Korea.
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell emphasized that the arms trade between North Korea and Russia violates a UN resolution.
Meanwhile, North Korea claims that sending troops to Russia to participate in the war against Ukraine supposedly aligns with international law, although the deployment has not been officially confirmed.
