North Korea Bolsters Military Support for Russia with Additional Troops and Equipment
North Korea has reportedly sent an additional 3,000 troops to Russia along with significant military supplies for the war in Ukraine, according to South Korea’s military assessment. The collaboration raises concerns over potential technology exchanges, particularly in drone capabilities, as Kim Jong Un emphasizes modernization efforts.
According to a recent assessment by South Korea’s military, North Korea has sent an additional 3,000 troops to Russia during January and February. This move is viewed as an extension of North Korea’s support for President Vladimir Putin’s ongoing military actions in Ukraine. The South’s Joint Chiefs of Staff reported that North Korea is also supplying more missiles, artillery, and ammunition, indicating a possible further increase in military collaboration depending on developments in the conflict.
The North’s military aid includes a considerable amount of various equipment, such as short-range ballistic missiles, 170 millimeter self-propelled howitzers, and approximately 220 units of 240 millimeter multiple rocket launchers. In total, North Korea has dispatched around 11,000 military personnel to participate in the current conflict, marking its first significant involvement in a large-scale war since the Korean War. Reports suggest approximately 4,000 of these troops have sustained casualties.
The high casualty rates among North Korean troops have been attributed to difficulties in adapting to modern warfare tactics, particularly drone operations, as noted by South Korea’s National Intelligence Service. Additionally, inefficiencies in Russian military command tactics have compounded these issues, with reports indicating that North Korean troops are often deployed without adequate support during assaults.
Despite the casualties, Ukrainian military assessments state that North Korean forces are acquiring valuable battlefield experience and playing an essential role in Russia’s strategy of overwhelming Ukrainian defenses, especially during the battle for Kursk. Recent actions from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un demonstrate steadfast support for the Russian military campaign, having recently met with Russian security official Sergei Shoigu to affirm mutual defense commitments.
The ongoing military cooperation raises concerns over potential technology exchanges between North Korea and Russia, particularly in drone technology, which could enhance North Korea’s military capabilities. Kim has recently emphasized advancements in drone development, inspecting new reconnaissance drones capable of tracking multiple targets and engaging in offensive operations.
As North Korea showcases its growing military technology, Kim has outlined plans for increased drone production, underlining the importance of drones and artificial intelligence in modernizing the North Korean military. While the North Korean media revealed a new reconnaissance drone, South Korean officials expressed skepticism regarding its actual capabilities, suggesting it may be modified from existing models.
In conclusion, North Korea’s recent deployment of 3,000 additional troops to Russia underlines its ongoing support for the war in Ukraine, alongside a significant increase in military equipment supplies. Despite high casualty rates and challenges in adapting to modern warfare, North Korean forces are reportedly gaining critical battlefield experience. This military cooperation raises concerns about potential technology exchanges between Russia and North Korea, particularly related to drone capabilities, which Kim Jong Un has prioritized for enhancement.
Original Source: abcnews.go.com
