Zelenskyy: Up to 50,000 North Korean troops could deploy to Russia, raising concerns over modern warfare experience gain

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has asserted that North Korea is prepared to send as many as 50,000 troops to Russia to bolster its war in Ukraine. Military intelligence in Ukraine suggests these North Korean soldiers could be deployed by late November to Russia's western regions, including Kursk, Bryansk, and Belgorod.

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North Korea has decided to deploy up to 50,000 North Korean troops to Russia to support Russia's war in Ukraine.

Should these troops assume rear-guard and border defense duties, Russia could free up its own forces to be redeployed to the front lines in Ukraine. Zelenskyy also alleged that North Korea has supplied ballistic missiles to Russia, which he claims were used in attacks on Zaporizhzhia. He warned that North Korea is accumulating crucial modern warfare experience through the conflict and urged South Korea to strengthen its cooperation with Ukraine on air defense and drone technology.

Analysts express mixed views on the scale and implications of such a deployment. Yoo Yong-won, a former military journalist and member of South Korea's People Power Party, noted that while 30,000 to 50,000 troops would be a significant increase from initial deployments, the actual realization of this scale remains to be seen. He emphasized that continued military cooperation between North Korea and Russia demands closer attention from the South Korean government and military.

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The continued expansion of military cooperation between North Korea and Russia requires more careful attention from the South Korean government and military.

Han Ki-beom, former deputy director of South Korea's National Intelligence Service, believes North Korea possesses the capacity to deploy up to 50,000 troops without critically weakening its own defense capabilities. He explained that even in a protracted conflict, nations often face troop shortages, and North Korean infantry could secure rear areas, allowing more Russian soldiers to fight on the Ukrainian front lines. Han also pointed out benefits for North Korea, stating its soldiers can test weapons in a real battlefield, gaining 21st-century warfare experience. Deeper cooperation could grant North Korea access to Russian expertise in missile, naval, and air defense technologies.

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North Korea has the capacity to dispatch up to 50,000 troops without seriously weakening its own defense capabilities.

However, the potential consequences for North Korea are also being considered. Ahn Chan-il, director of the World North Korea Research Center, predicts North Korea would send elite special operations forces, adept at reconnaissance and ambushes, making them a valuable asset for Russia. He also anticipates the inclusion of infantry, engineers, construction workers, and medical personnel. Yet, Ahn highlighted the domestic burden for North Korea if casualties rise significantly, potentially undermining propaganda efforts. While limited casualties might be celebrated as heroic, tens of thousands of deaths or injuries could create a domestic burden of grieving families and disabled veterans, transforming the battlefield experience into a national liability.

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North Korean soldiers are gaining 21st-century warfare experience by testing weapons on the actual battlefield.