On October 24, Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence Agency (GUR) announced that North Korean troops have arrived in the combat zone of Russia’s Kursk region. This statement coincided with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s ambiguous acknowledgment of these deployments, as he emphasized the serious nature of the cooperation between Russia and North Korea.
The news has raised questions about the potential benefits for North Korea in sending its troops to Russia. CNN notes that this military intervention marks a significant moment, showcasing a reclusive regime, heavily sanctioned, making an impact in a major international conflict—a scenario not seen in decades.
North Korea boasts an army of approximately 1.2 million personnel, ranking as the fourth largest globally; however, many of its troops lack real combat experience. Analysts suggest that North Korea’s involvement in the conflict could provide numerous advantages, including battlefield experience, technical training, and insights into the operational realities of weaponry.
Carl Schuster, former director of operations at the U.S. Pacific Command’s Joint Intelligence Center, remarked, “The special forces will return with hands-on experience in infiltrating combat scenarios against vigilant adversaries, making them a more formidable threat.” He further speculated that Kim Jong-un’s decision to send troops might be driven by a desire to secure essential resources for maintaining his regime and possibly leverage those experiences should conflict arise on the Korean Peninsula.
Retired South Korean Army General In-Bum Chun echoed this sentiment in an interview with CNN, stating that Russian forces would gain much-needed manpower, while North Korea would benefit from “money, technology, and experience.”
Experts emphasize that North Korea is dispatching elite units rather than conventional forces, and if they achieve success on the battlefield in Ukraine, they could not only gain firsthand experience but also international recognition. There is concern that this might lead to North Korea developing a reputation as a base for training well-equipped soldiers, posing a significant challenge for global security.
