North Korea’s Military Deployments to Kursk: An Overview of Recent Developments
North Korea is preparing to deploy approximately 3,500 troops to the Kursk frontline after sending over 1,000 earlier this year. The troops have suffered high casualty rates, with 400 reported dead and around 3,600 injured. Language barriers and outdated technology hinder effective collaboration between North Korean and Russian forces during operations.
North Korea has reportedly dispatched over 1,000 additional troops to the Kursk frontline earlier this year and is now considering a third deployment of approximately 3,500 troops. Yoo Yong-won, a member of the People’s Power Party, revealed this information after receiving insights from Ukrainian military intelligence and special operations authorities during his recent visit to Ukraine.
According to Yoo, as of last month, the death toll for North Korean soldiers has reached 400, effectively representing the complete loss of one battalion since their deployment. Moreover, it is estimated that around 3,600 troops have sustained injuries during their service. He noted that the second troop dispatch comprised about 1,500 soldiers, who have already undergone localization training on the front lines.
Yoo indicated that there are currently around 3,500 North Korean troops undergoing local adaptation training across five locations in Russia’s Far East, suggesting that a subsequent deployment could occur soon. Military and intelligence officials are closely monitoring the situation, as North Korea appears to be seeking economic, military technological, and diplomatic support from Russia through these deployments.
However, challenges have arisen concerning joint operations between Russian and North Korean units, primarily due to language barriers. Yoo explained that Russian officers lead both national forces during combat but that there remains little collaboration in non-combat tasks. Instances of North Korean soldiers attempting to borrow cell phones from Russian soldiers have been noticed, likely indicating a desire to communicate with their families.
Additionally, ideological materials have been found among the North Korean troops, such as propaganda educational content discovered on tablet devices seized by Ukrainian forces on the battlefield. Yoo also highlighted that a single North Korean soldier is deemed to possess combat capability equivalent to that of two Russian soldiers, despite challenges with outdated communication equipment and inadequate night vision technology for nocturnal operations.
A senior Ukrainian military official, reflecting on the high casualty rates, expressed confusion over the North Korean military’s persistent and aggressive attempts to penetrate the frontlines, questioning the urgency of their actions.
In summary, North Korea’s deployment of additional troops to the Kursk front highlights its ongoing military involvement, with significant casualties reported. The challenges faced in joint operations with Russian forces due to language barriers and outdated technology have raised concerns about the effectiveness of these deployments. The situation remains complex as North Korea seeks further support from Russia amid heavy losses in combat.
Original Source: www.mk.co.kr
