Headline: North Korean Defectors Warn: Don’t Underestimate Our Soldiers
Subhead: Three former North Korean soldiers, including an officer who trained elite troops, detail their countrymen’s abilities and highlight concerns about Ukraine‘s war with Russia.
Article:
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently shared an image on social media, claiming it showed a North Korean soldier on the frontlines in the Kursk region. While the authenticity of the image is unclear, three former North Korean soldiers have spoken to the BBC, warning that their countrymen should not be underestimated in a war scenario.
Image: A possible North Korean soldier on the frontlines in the Kursk region, as shared by President Zelensky. Source: Presidency of Ukraine.
Honor Over casualties
North Korea‘s leadership, led by Kim Jong-un, is more concerned with the country’s honor than sacrificing untrained soldiers, according to the defectors. Only the most elite and disciplined soldiers are sent to fight alongside Russian forces.
Image: North Korean soldiers at a window in the demilitarized zone in 2004. Source: Reuters.
Elite ‘Storm Corps’
Ryu Sesonghyun, who defected in 2019 after serving for seven years, believes that North Korea has sent elite ‘Storm Corps’ soldiers to Russia to maintain its prestige. This unit comprises the tallest, strongest, and most disciplined young men, trained to follow orders without question.
Lee Hyun Seung, who trained this elite unit in the early 2000s before defecting in 2014, confirmed Ryu’s assessment. He added that North Korea’s harsh regime conditions these soldiers to endure immense pain and mental tortures, making them formidable adversaries.
Image: Kim Jong-un attending a military exercise in an undisclosed location in North Korea, March 6, 2024. Source: AP.
Brainwashed Loyalty
Haneul Lee, another defector, drew from personal experience, having lost both his father and cousin to the ‘Storm Corps.’ He described the unit’s intense ideological ‘brainwashing’ each morning, ensuring unwavering loyalty to the regime. This loyalty, he believes, makes these soldiers dangerous when deployed to a battlefield like Ukraine.
Image: North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-un visiting an undisclosed location in North Korea, March 6, 2024. Source: AP.
Ukraine’s Attempts to Sway Soldiers
Ukrainian efforts to persuade North Korean soldiers to surrender are seen as futile by the defectors. Despite harsh conditions and casualties, these soldiers remain loyal to their regime and are willing to endure severe pain to fight.
Russian casualties and reinforcements
Analysts claim that at least 100 North Korean soldiers have died and over 1000 wounded in skirmishes with Ukrainian forces in the Kursk region. North Korea plans to send more troops, potentially numbering between 10,000 to 11,000, according to The Guardian.
Internal Links:
- Russia-Ukraine War Live: North Korean Troops in Russia (The Guardian)
- North Korea’s ‘Storm Corps’ Explained (BBC)
