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The Hidden Frontline. Indoctrinated And Unyielding, North Korean Soldiers In Russia-Ukraine War
In a conflict that has already seen unimaginable destruction and countless lives lost, a new dimension has emerged, the deployment of North Korean soldiers to aid Russia in its prolonged war in Ukraine.
Though neither Moscow nor Pyongyang has officially confirmed their presence, intelligence reports from the United States, Ukraine, and South Korea indicate that about 11,000 North Korean soldiers are now involved in Europe’s largest conflict since World War II.
These troops, far removed from their isolated homeland, have been reported to engage in combat operations alongside Russian forces. They are stationed primarily in Russia’s western Kursk region, where they are believed to be involved in offensive operations against Ukrainian positions. However, a lot of questions are being asked about their combat effectiveness and the role they will play in the broader conflict.
Casualties and Combat Realities
North Korea’s involvement has come at a cost. A senior U.S. official disclosed that North Korea has suffered several hundred casualties, including deaths and injuries, since their deployment began in October.
Recent Ukrainian reports also suggest that at least 30 North Korean soldiers were killed or wounded in just one weekend of fighting near the villages in Kursk, close to the Ukrainian border.
Eyewitness accounts from Ukrainian units describe North Korean infantry using outdated tactics reminiscent of the Korean War. These methods—marked by waves of infantry attacks—may not hold up in the brutal, high-tech modern warfare that defines the conflict in Ukraine.
A U.S. official stated that these troops lack real-world battle experience, making them ill-prepared for the chaotic and unforgiving conditions on the front lines. Casualties have reportedly spanned all ranks, including command-and-control leaders, further emphasizing the challenges these soldiers face.
Elite Soldiers or Unprepared Recruits?
Despite these challenges, some analysts caution against underestimating the capabilities of North Korean troops.
According to retired Lt. Gen. Chun In-bum of the South Korean army, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has likely sent elite soldiers from the highly trained and indoctrinated Storm Corps. Known formally as the 11th Army Corps of the North Korean military, this force is regarded as the best the regime has to offer.
The Storm Corps includes special forces units comparable to the U.S. Navy SEALs or Britain’s SAS, as well as light infantry and sniper units. Chun described these soldiers as “better trained, better motivated, and in better physical condition” than the average North Korean soldier.
North Korean state propaganda has long emphasized the physical and psychological preparation of its military. Recent footage released by state media shows Kim Jong Un overseeing extreme training exercises, including soldiers smashing cinder blocks on their bare torsos. These displays aim to project strength and resilience, traits deeply embedded in the North Korean military ethos.
Psychological Conditioning. An Edge in Warfare?
Experts like Michael Madden, a non-resident fellow at the Stimson Center’s 38 North program, suggest that North Korean soldiers are equipped with significant psychological resilience. Madden noted that these troops are “programmed” and “indoctrinated,” which could provide them with a mental edge over other forces entering a foreign conflict.
However, he also raised questions about the extent and efficacy of this indoctrination. While mental strength can help soldiers endure harsh conditions, it remains uncertain whether it can overcome the severe challenges posed by modern warfare, including advanced weaponry, unfamiliar terrain, and high casualty rates.
Strategic Implications
The deployment of North Korean troops marks Pyongyang’s largest overseas military engagement since the Vietnam War. This move illustrates the deepening alliance between North Korea and Russia, driven by mutual geopolitical interests. For Russia, North Korean soldiers represent additional manpower at a time when its own forces are stretched thin. For North Korea, this deployment strengthens ties with a key ally while showcasing its military prowess on a global stage.
Yet, the long-term implications remain unclear. The high casualty rates and the psychological toll of modern warfare could undermine the effectiveness of North Korean forces. Moreover, their presence risks escalating international tensions, drawing greater scrutiny from Western powers and potentially inviting further sanctions.
North Korean Soldiers, Drone Warfare, and Russia’s Strategies in Ukraine
Drone warfare has redefined the modern battlefield in Ukraine, revolutionizing surveillance, precision strikes, and destruction. While initially aimed at military targets, this transformation has also inflicted devastating impacts on civilians and critical infrastructure, marking a grim new chapter in warfare.
Against this backdrop, Russia’s deployment of North Korean soldiers to Ukraine’s front lines has drawn significant attention. These troops, potentially numbering in the thousands, are being embedded within the Russian military in what experts view as a high-stakes experiment.
Their integration suggests not only Russia’s shifting tactics but also the complexities of utilizing foreign forces in a brutal and technologically advanced war theater.
Russia’s “Meat-Grinder” Tactics
Russia’s eastern offensive, characterized by relentless “meat-grinder” tactics, has cost thousands of Russian recruits their lives. Now, with North Korean soldiers reportedly receiving basic training in artillery, drone operations, and trench-clearing, questions arise about their role in this war. According to U.S. intelligence, their deployment hinges on how effectively Russia can integrate them into its military machinery.
South Korean lawmakers reveal that the North Koreans are being taught around 100 basic Russian military terms to address reported communication challenges. Yet their actual contributions—whether guarding posts, digging trenches, or engaging in frontline combat—remain uncertain.
Oleksandr, a unit commander with Ukraine’s 225th assault battalion, stated this ambiguity: “When we catch them or see a body, then I’ll know for sure that they’re here.”
Challenges Facing North Korean Troops
Despite North Korea’s reputation as one of the most militarized nations globally, its soldiers face unique challenges. Mandatory military service, often lasting 10 years, has historically left conscripts struggling with malnutrition, poor treatment, and grueling conditions.
Kim Seong-han, a defector who served 12 years in the North Korean army, recalls enduring harsh winters, food shortages, and dangerous training exercises. During the famine of the 1990s, he witnessed comrades reduced to surviving on meager corn rations.
“Before 1991, we could still eat meat, but from that year, meat started running out,” Kim said. The already meager rice ration was cut drastically, leaving soldiers malnourished and vulnerable to disease.
While elite units like the Storm Corps may receive better provisions, the legacy of deprivation and limited real-world combat experience raises questions about their readiness for Ukraine’s technologically advanced battlefield.
The Psychological and Physical Toll
The physical and psychological toll on North Korean soldiers could be immense. The brutal pace of modern warfare, combined with Russia’s high casualty rates, places immense pressure on these troops. Reports of malnutrition and health issues, including worms, further complicate their ability to endure prolonged conflict.
Additionally, the possibility of U.S.-made weapons targeting North Korean soldiers adds another layer of complexity. The White House has labeled these troops “fair game,” indicating the geopolitical stakes of their involvement.
The Bleak Reality of Life as a North Korean Soldier
Accounts from defectors and former soldiers reveal the grim conditions faced by North Korean troops. A defector shot multiple times while fleeing to South Korea in 2017 was found with parasitic worms—some over 27 centimeters long—and a chronic liver infection. This discovery shows the severe malnutrition and poor sanitation within North Korea’s military ranks.
“Everyone was hungry, even the soldiers,” said Kang Ri Hyuk, a former army officer who defected to the South. Many soldiers reportedly succumb to diseases due to inadequate medical care, and some have been known to steal food from rural villages and farms to survive.
The United Nations’ World Food Programme estimates that over 40% of North Korea’s population is undernourished, and while some elite military units enjoy better supplies, most soldiers face severe shortages.
Privilege and Loyalty in the 11th Army Corps
Despite these hardships, certain divisions, such as the 11th Army Corps, hold a privileged status in North Korean society. Known for their loyalty to the regime, soldiers in these units undergo rigorous vetting, with family backgrounds scrutinized to the second degree.
Admission into the 11th Army Corps is reserved for those with exceptional physical abilities and an unwavering commitment to the regime.
The division includes a 10,000-strong commando unit trained for sabotage, assassinations, and infrastructure destruction. Some of these soldiers are even instructed to take their own lives rather than risk capture—a choice seen as heroic in North Korea, ensuring the care of their families and eternal recognition.
“These North Korean units, their main mission is to disrupt,” said Chun In-bum, a former South Korean army officer. Such specialized training underscores the role these troops could play in Russia’s war effort, from trench-clearing to reconnaissance.
Kim Jong Un’s Vision for an Efficient Military
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has sought to make the country’s massive military more efficient by hand-picking soldiers and rotating them through specialized training. While he cannot maintain a fully operational military, the 200,000-strong elite force he has cultivated is larger than most European armies.
Kim’s emphasis on loyalty and proficiency ensures a dedicated military, but questions remain about whether the soldiers deployed to Russia volunteered or were coerced. For some, the promise of cash and the opportunity to go abroad may have been enticing, especially given North Korea’s economic hardships.
South Korean intelligence estimates that these soldiers could be earning salaries of up to $2,000 a month while stationed in Russia—a stark contrast to the typical $1 monthly wage of a North Korean soldier.
“The average North Korean soldier earns a dollar a month,” said Chun In-bum, a former South Korean army officer. “They won’t get to keep all of that Russian money. Kim Jong Un will take at least 90%, but even then, $300 is a significant sum for a North Korean soldier.”
Defection Unlikely Despite Incentives
In October, Ukraine’s “I Want to Live” initiative, which encourages Russian troops to defect, extended its outreach to North Korean soldiers. A Korean-language video promised defectors “three hot meals a day,” medical care, and humane treatment.
However, analysts remain skeptical about the possibility of mass defections.
“North Koreans abroad are always paired off, like a buddy system,” explained Michael Madden, a non-resident fellow at the Stimson Center’s 38 North Program. “If a North Korean soldier tries to defect to Ukraine, their comrade will likely shoot them—or vice versa.”
Still, as Chun noted, “you never know how soldiers will behave under fire.”
Implications for the Korean Peninsula and Beyond
The performance of North Korean troops in Russia could have far-reaching consequences.
“If these soldiers fail in their missions or prove inexperienced, it could weaken the perception of North Korea’s military capabilities and have implications for the security of the Korean Peninsula,” Chun said.
“On the other hand, if they perform well, or even learn from their failures, it’s bad news—not just for us on the Korean Peninsula, but for the broader global security landscape.”
The Last Bit
The involvement of North Korean troops in Ukraine adds more to an already multifaceted conflict. While their lack of battle experience and reliance on outdated tactics may limit their immediate impact, their psychological conditioning and elite training cannot be ignored. As the war continues to evolve, the role of these indoctrinated, loyal, and well-trained soldiers will be closely watched.