On October 24, Ukraine announced that North Korean troops have arrived in the combat zone in Russia’s Kursk region, a report that was neither denied nor confirmed by Russian President Vladimir Putin. The question arises: what advantages does North Korea gain by sending its troops to Russia?
According to the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense’s Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR), the first contingent of troops from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea) has indeed made it to the front lines of the Russia-Ukraine war, with records showing their presence in Kursk as of yesterday.
In response, Putin stated that “Russia has never doubted the seriousness of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea regarding cooperation with us. We are working closely with our friends in North Korea and how we choose to operate is up to us.”
CNN analysts highlight that North Korea’s military intervention signifies a pivotal moment: it marks the involvement of an isolated regime under heavy sanctions in a significant international conflict, something not seen in decades.
With a military strength of approximately 1.2 million personnel, North Korea boasts the fourth largest army in the world, though it largely lacks combat experience. Analysts point out that North Korea’s decision to send troops to Russia offers substantial benefits, such as battlefield experience, technical training, and real intelligence regarding weapon capabilities.
Carl Schuster, former Director of Operations at the U.S. Pacific Command Joint Intelligence Center, explained that “the special forces will return with combat experience and practical infiltration tactics against prepared opponents. This will enhance their threat level.”
Schuster elaborates, “I believe Kim Jong-un is providing troops to acquire the resources needed to maintain his regime and to gain experience that he might apply if he believes a conflict in the Korean Peninsula is imminent.”
Retired South Korean Army Major General In-Bum Chun told CNN that this deployment will provide Russia with the manpower it currently lacks, while North Korean forces will benefit from “money, technology, and experience.”
Analysts suggest that North Korea is sending elite troops rather than conventional forces. If these troops achieve success on the battlefield in Ukraine, they will not only gain firsthand experience but will also receive international recognition. There is concern that this could lead to North Korea developing a pattern of providing a base of trained soldiers, which poses a significant global threat.
