Do not underestimate the loyal and well -trained North Korean soldiers
Do not underestimate the loyal and well -trained North Korean soldiers
approximately 11,000 North Korean soldiers are far from their home countries in the center of the largest conflict in Europe since World War II. They were sent to support Russia in his devastating war against Ukraine. Little is known about the exact tasks of the North Korean troops, and their presence has not yet been officially recognized by Moscow or Pyongyang.
secret military missions
US, Ukrainian and South Korean secret services report that the North Korean soldiers were already involved in combat operations. They have joined a Russian armed force of tens of thousands to attack Ukrainian positions in the western region of Kursk. Speculations about the fate of these troops are numerous.
deployment in the Course area
According to Ukrainian sources, at least 30 North Korean soldiers were killed or wounded in fights near Kursk last weekend. A Ukrainian battalion reported that North Koreans - in uniforms that differed from the Russian - had started with infantry attacks, using "the same tactics as 70 years ago". This is understood as a hidden allusion to the Korean War, in which waves of infantry were used.
challenges on the modern battlefield
Pjöngjang's soldiers do not have any real combat experience and have to find their way in a brutal, modern war environment - one who has brought large chaos and horrors to both sides and has asked for many victims on the front lines. Nevertheless, some analysts have warned to underestimate the North Koreans.
elite troops in use
North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un will send the best soldiers from an elite unit, the so -called storm corps. According to the retired South Korean General Chun in-Bum, these soldiers are highly trained and "indoctrinated" fighters. Some of them are one of the special forces, such as the US Navy Seals or the British SAS, while others are used as light infantry or snipers.
Psychological preparation and training
The storm corps, the 11th army corps of the North Korean army, is "better trained, physically better fit and more motivated than the average North Korean soldier," said Chun. Current North Korean propaganda materials show how he leads extreme training exercises that are characterized by impressive demonstrations.
survival in the war
Michael Madden, an expert at the Stimson Center, emphasizes that this greatest troop laying of North Korean soldiers has been equipped with “psychological tricks” since the Vietnam War. However, he asks the question: "How well indoctrinated are you? And how well are you programmed?"
the reality on the front
Despite possible mental strength, the challenges that the North Korean soldiers look for are enormous. The war in Ukraine has changed through the use of drones, which led to new surveillance and destructive levels that affect both military goals and civilian infrastructures.
dangers from modern warfare
Russia's “Fleischwolf” tactics, especially in eastern Ukraine, bring Russian recruits to the edge of the abyss. There is also a serious possibility that American weapons kill North Korean soldiers. The White House has explained that the troops are “fair goals”.
military training in Russia
In Russia, the North Korean soldiers receive training in artillery, serving unmanned aircraft and fundamental infantry tactics that are crucial for use at the forefront, according to the US State Department. There are also indications that North Koreans are integrated into the Russian armed forces, which could be crucial for Moscow's success.
living conditions for North Korean soldiers
North Korea is considered one of the most militarized countries in the world with an estimated 1.2 million soldiers on duty. From the age of 17, all citizens have to do an obligatory military service, which traditionally lasts 10 years, but has been shortened according to current reports for five years.
experiences of deserters
experiences of former soldiers show a dark picture of reality in the North Korean army. Kim Seong-Han, a deserter, thinks back about his service and describes malnutrition and poor treatment. Many soldiers suffered from illnesses because they did not receive medical treatment.
an outlook on the future
Life in the North Korean military is characterized by challenges and deprivation. However, dealing with these difficulties remains uncertain, while the situation on the front is developing.