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As Ukraine’s president claims North Korean troops will be deployed in Russia, experts predict high desertion rates.
With Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claiming that North Korean soldiers will soon be deployed to support Russia in its conflict with Ukraine, military experts are already anticipating a wave of desertions among these troops, who are largely inexperienced with real combat.
On October 18, South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) reported that 12,000 North Korean soldiers would be sent to the front lines to assist Moscow—a report confirmed by NATO and the United States but vehemently denied by Pyongyang. According to some Western sources, an estimated 3,000 North Korean soldiers are already training at various sites in Russia, as reported by La Dépêche. While the presence of North Korean troops could offer the Russian military a significant boost, some military experts remain skeptical about the effectiveness of this collaboration.
UN sanctions expert Hugh Griffiths explains: “North Korea has one of the world’s largest armies, but it is not a well-trained army. It relies on sheer numbers, and none of its soldiers have been tested in combat.” He expects these troops to quickly confront the stark reality of the battlefield. Griffiths added: “They will find themselves in situations where they can discern truth from propaganda.” Although Kim Jong Un portrays his country as “invincible”, both North Korean and Russian forces are likely to experience disillusionment, which could have serious effects on their morale.
