N. Korean forces in Russia likely to take its own command

Oct 29, 2024, 11:05 am

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Citizens watch related news at Seoul Station on Oct. 20, as North Korea is reportedly sending a large number of special forces to the Ukraine war to help Russia./ Source: Yonhap News

AsiaToday reporter Han Dae-eui

The North Korean military dispatched to the Ukraine war is expected to take its own command and take charge of some of the front lines rather than being under Russian command.

“The North Korean command system would be run independently rather than under the Russian military,” said Lim Kang-jin, a North Korean defector who served as a commander of the North Korean military regiment at the front line in North Gangwon Province. “Though it has been transformed into a Russian unit, the North Korean forces in Russia will be commanded by Kim Young-bok, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Korean People’s Army,” he said. Kim Young-bok is expected to discuss military operations with Russian commanders at the command center. “No North Korean military will be commanded by a Russian officer, which is discussed in some media,” he added.

“North Korea has been sending troops to various wars. They dispatched air force during the Vietnam War. However, they have never sent infantry units like the one in the Ukraine war,” Lim said. “From my experience, the command system will be conducted in a North Korean way. They will only discuss the operation process with Russian officers.”

It was confirmed that most of the troops the North dispatched to Russia were combat troops. North Korea sources say that although they included engineering and logistical units, they are classified as rear units and most of the troops are composed of combat soldiers. Experts on North Korea say that it is highly likely that the North sent only a part of the main special forces troops to Russia and the rest of the 11th Army from ordinary infrantry.

“Most of the troops are combat troops, and most of them are special forces and infantry,” a source in North Pyongyang Province told the Dong-A Ilbo in a telephone interview on Friday. “They are not newly recruited soldiers, but they have served in the military for more than three years. The entire combat troops are part of the 11th Army, but not all of them are special forces,” he said. “Not a small number of special forces troops and other general infantry from the 11th Army were probably included. Based on some information, most of the North Korean military are in their early to mid-20s, with more than three and less than five years of experience. Therefore, it is highly likely that special forces and general infantry are mixed,” the source said.

Lim said, “It is certain that most of the North Korean troops that have been sent to Russia are combat troops. However, I think the main force of the dispatch unit will include combat troops of the 11th Storm Corps and general infantry.”

#North Korean troops #Russia