Greece (Brussels Morning Newspaper) When one thinks of North Korea’s soldiers, then, based on the country’s political and social status, one can imagine a war machine that resembles rather remains from a future scenario. When one thinks of the profile of North Korean soldiers, based on the political and social profile of the country, a futuristic profile comes to mind. Like the soldiers of the Astra Militarum, from the famous world of Warhammer 40k, the North Koreans resemble the Death Korps of Krieg. Unwavering, disciplined, focused or at least that’s what we want to believe.
On January 22, the 8th Regiment of Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces reported that its troops had engaged in an eight-hour battle against a North Korean assault in Russia’s Kursk Oblast before withdrawing. According to the unit, they eliminated 21 enemy soldiers and wounded 40.
A video released by the Special Operations Forces captures a sizable group of alleged North Korean troops advancing through an open field and forest, followed by intense close-quarters combat at a range of just a few dozen meters. The footage concludes with graphic images showing fallen soldiers, purportedly North Koreans.
The Ukrainians have strategically undertaken efforts to partially identify soldiers originating from North Korea, both for their records and to inform the international community.
Ukrainian troops can be seen meticulously collecting DNA samples by swabbing the mouths of deceased North Korean soldiers with cotton buds and securing them in evidence bags. Additionally, they remove the soldiers’ helmets, cutting and bagging hair samples. To facilitate access to documents and personal effects, they cut away body armour, retrieving military identity cards, dog tags, handwritten notes, and photographs for further analysis.
A different type of soldier
Western officials have reported that North Korean forces have sustained nearly 40% casualties within just three months of combat in Russia’s western Kursk region. Out of an estimated 11,000 troops deployed from North Korea, officially known as the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), approximately 4,000 have been killed or wounded. These soldiers, allegedly part of an “elite” unit called the Storm Corps, seem to have been sent into battle with minimal training and inadequate protection.
Ukraine’s top military commander Gen Oleksandr Syrskyi stated that North Korean soldiers were posing a significant problem for Ukrainian fighters on the front line.
“They are numerous. An additional 11,000-12,000 highly motivated and well-prepared soldiers who are conducting offensive actions. They operate based on Soviet tactics. They act in platoons, companies. They rely on their numbers”.
All North Korean recruits are taught a song that includes a verse about saving their last bullet for themselves to avoid capture, said Ryu, who served in the North Korean military until 2019, when he escaped to freedom in South Korea.
South Korea’s National Intelligence Service reported a recent incident in which a North Korean soldier, facing potential capture by Ukrainian forces, attempted to detonate a grenade while shouting Kim’s name. However, he was killed before he could carry out the act.
Iron Will
North Koreans fought differently from the Russians. There are specific reasons why the North Koreans are so fearless. Most fear for their families and future generations back home. Others, without access to new technologies and the Internet, simply do not know what hybrid threats, drones and new technologies are.
“They are far more disciplined, with exceptional morale and determination – completely brainwashed, really,” Gen Oleksandr Syrskyi said. Interviews with several Ukrainian troops reveal remarkable details about how the North Koreans have been fighting since they arrived on the battlefield in the Russian region of Kursk last month.
North Korean troops have displayed an apparent lack of awareness regarding modern battlefield threats, particularly from drones and artillery. Their tactics resemble those of World War Two, as they advance in large groups of 20, 40, or even 60 soldiers on foot, making themselves highly vulnerable to Ukrainian fire. This approach is compounded by intense ideological indoctrination, which drives them to continue advancing despite suffering heavy casualties.
Even under relentless attack, they press forward undeterred, disregarding the mounting losses among their ranks. Additionally, efforts to conceal their involvement in the conflict have been observed, with North Korean soldiers wearing white helmets seen retrieving their wounded and fallen comrades from the battlefield. Reports also suggest that many North Koreans refuse to be taken prisoner, opting instead to detonate grenades to avoid capture. In some instances, soldiers have allegedly shouted allegiance to Kim Jong Un before taking their own lives.
Coordination between North Korean and Russian forces appears to be significantly hampered by language barriers, leading to tactical inefficiencies. Reports from radio intercepts suggest that North Korean troops have mistakenly targeted Russian positions, further complicating their effectiveness on the battlefield. In some cases, they have launched costly assaults on Ukrainian positions, only for Russian forces to fail to capitalize on their advances.
Despite having better personal equipment than many Russian troops—such as superior rifles and uniforms—North Korean soldiers lack essential heavy armour. Their movements are entirely on foot, with limited logistical support, relying on unconventional means like golf buggies to transport ammunition. This lack of proper mobility and armoured protection has left them highly exposed in combat, further exacerbating their battlefield vulnerabilities.
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