North Korean troops in Ukraine prompt regional security fears
North Korean soldiers, owing to their battlefield experience, have become a significant adversary for the Ukrainian army, according to the American daily "Wall Street Journal." The skills they have acquired may be taken back to their country and utilised in their vast army, which is causing concern in South Korea and Japan.
The North Korean soldiers, who gained battlefield experience, quickly became a substantial challenge for the Ukrainian army. As reported by the "Wall Street Journal," their skills may be transferred to North Korea, raising concerns in South Korea and Japan.
North Korean soldiers learn quickly
In the Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces have been operating since August 2024, North Korean forces quickly adapted their tactics to modern warfare conditions.
In December, during the initial attacks by the Koreans, large groups of soldiers participated without support from artillery, drones, or armoured vehicles, making them easy targets for Ukrainian soldiers. However, by February, an improvement was observed: the Koreans began operating in smaller groups, supported by Russian weaponry such as gliding bombs, artillery, and drones.
Thousands of North Korean soldiers on the front
In December, Pyongyang dispatched approximately 12,000 soldiers to the Kursk region, and this year another 3,000 have joined them. Initially, they dug trenches and provided logistic support, but after significant losses in the Russian army, the Koreans were directed to active combat. There are now concerns that their presence and acquired experience could be utilised in the extensive North Korean army, which includes 1.2 million soldiers.
According to "WSJ," after three weeks of fighting in the Kursk region, North Korean casualties amounted to 3,000 killed and wounded. So far, about 5,000 North Korean soldiers have perished, with one-third of them during active combat. Ukrainians noticed that many Koreans suffered from scurvy. Moreover, despite the Koreans not being seasoned in combat, Ukrainians could not capture many soldiers from this country, as they often chose death.
They detonate a grenade before capture
According to Michael Madden from the Stimson Center think tank, North Korean soldiers detonate a grenade before capture. In December, one soldier, to avoid being taken into Ukrainian captivity, shouted "General Kim Jong Un" and blew himself up.
Two Koreans captured by Ukrainians reported that they did not understand why they were going to war. One of them, a 26-year-old, added that he believed South Koreans were fighting alongside the Ukrainians.
One Ukrainian military official emphasised that the main "advantage" of the North Koreans over the Ukrainians is their disregard for human life. According to him, in this respect, they even "surpass" the Russians.
The presence of North Korean soldiers in Russia raises concerns in South Korea and Japan. General Oleksandr Syrskyi, the Chief Commander of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, stressed that North Koreans continue to arrive in Russia, and their training and equipment have improved, making them more integrated with Russian forces.
