Wall Street Journal Reports
"North Korean Troops Initially Used Outdated Tactics in Russia"
"Rapidly Adapting to Modern Warfare at 'Lightning Speed' Through Direct Combat"
"Their experience of paying the price with blood will not be in vain."
This is the statement of a Ukrainian army captain who fought against North Korean troops deployed in Russia. Analysis suggests that the North Korean military is rapidly adapting to modern warfare and becoming a significant asset to the Russian forces.
The Office of the President of Ukraine released images in January showing North Korean troops engaged in combat in the Kursk region. Photo by AP Yonhap News
The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on the 8th (local time) that although the North Korean troops initially deployed to Russia displayed outdated tactics, they have been adapting to modern warfare at "lightning speed" through direct participation in the war. WSJ conveyed the changed image of the North Korean military based on interviews with soldiers, including Ukrainian special forces who fought North Korean troops in the Kursk region of Russia, as well as expert opinions.
When the North Korean troops were first deployed to the front lines in December last year, they became easy targets for the Ukrainian forces. At that time, the North Korean troops were sent into the battlefield without support such as drones or armored vehicles, showing low tactical understanding and relying only on enthusiasm, recalled Ukrainian soldiers.
During this time, the North Korean troops kept charging relentlessly even when comrades next to them fell under Ukrainian fire. A soldier from the Ukrainian special operations forces described the battle with the North Korean troops as "like a scene from World War II," saying, "They were just running. They charged while shouting in Korean, and their cheers were tremendous." One North Korean soldier surrounded by Ukrainian special forces in Kursk reportedly shouted "General Kim Jong-un" before detonating a grenade.
However, the North Korean troops quickly adapted to the battlefield environment and began to stand out. After suffering heavy losses in the early stages of combat and withdrawing from Kursk in early January, they returned about a month later, and the Ukrainian forces assessed that the North Korean troops had become one of Russia's most valuable assets.
Initially, the North Korean troops seemed unaware that drones posed a threat, merely trying to swat them away. However, they have rapidly learned techniques to evade or shoot down drones. It is reported that they use one soldier as bait while others fire at the drones. Their ability to conduct integrated operations with Russian forces has also improved. In particular, the North Korean troops' excellent physical endurance and perseverance have created synergy on the battlefield. A Ukrainian special agent said of the North Korean troops, "They have experienced modern warfare and are learning from it."
Captain Syriaiyev of the Ukrainian 225th Regiment said of the North Korean troops, "Watching them advance unwaveringly under heavy fire, I realized they have a very important strength on the battlefield," adding, "They seem to have no concept of valuing life. They are even more extreme than the Russian forces."
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