Deployment of Special Forces 'Storm Corps' to North Korea's Choe Jeong... Over 12,000 Troops Sent to Russia

Deployment of 12,000 Troops from Four Yeha Brigades Expected

The 11th Corps, reported to be deployed by North Korea to Russia, is understood to be an elite unit under the Special Operations Force, also known as the 'Storm Corps.' Its nature is similar to that of our Special Warfare Command (Special Forces), but it is said to be larger in scale.

According to government sources on the 18th, North Korea is expected to deploy about 12,000 troops belonging to four brigades under the Storm Corps. Approximately 1,500 special forces personnel have already been transported to Vladivostok, Russia, and a second transport operation is scheduled soon. The Storm Corps includes 10 brigades such as the light infantry brigade called 'Lightning,' the air-ground assault brigade called 'Thunder,' and the sniper brigade called 'Bolt.' The total troop strength is estimated to be between 40,000 and 80,000.

The Storm Corps, reportedly stationed in Deokcheon City, South Pyongan Province, is an elite special forces unit established based on the Special 8th Corps. The Special 8th Corps was formed in 1969, centered around Unit 124, which carried out the January 21, 1968 Blue House raid. In 1983, North Korea reorganized this unit into the Light Infantry Guidance Bureau, integrating other special forces units, and continuously expanded and restructured it to create the Storm Corps.

Chairman Kim is known to have inspected the special forces presumed to be the Storm Corps twice, on the 11th of last month and the 2nd of this month, ahead of the deployment. Although North Korea has previously dispatched fighter pilots or military advisory groups to Vietnam or the Middle East, this is the first time it is deploying a large-scale ground force abroad. During the Vietnam War (1955?1975), North Korea sent fighter pilots and psychological warfare units, and during the Fourth Middle East War, it sent fighter pilots to Egypt.

Additionally, North Korea has dispatched military advisory groups or instructors numbering in the dozens to the Middle East and Africa, including Libya, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.