South Korean activists rally to challenge North Korean ties with Russia
South Koreans are expressing interest in fighting on the Ukrainian front against Northern units fighting on Russia's side. One of the first volunteers, Lee Min-bok, an activist opposed to Kim Jong Un's regime who fled North Korea years ago, announced this.
A group of about 200 former North Korean soldiers, who escaped North Korea and currently live in South Korea, have offered their support to Ukrainian forces. They are prepared to go to the front and initiate a psychological campaign to weaken morale and encourage defection among the regime's soldiers set to fight for Russia.
- Most North Korean soldiers, including elite special forces, suffer from malnutrition and do not represent a high standard. The soldiers seen on TV during parades are the elite of the army population - said Ahn Chang-Il, a 69-year-old military veteran, to journalists. - We understand North Korea's military culture and psychological state better than anyone else. We are ready to work as psychological warfare agents, using loudspeakers, distributing leaflets, and even acting as translators, - noted the former military veteran.
The South China Morning Post reported the offer from former North Korean regime soldiers. Another veteran, Lee Min-bok, wrote a letter to the Ukrainian embassy in South Korea. He emphasized the former soldiers' willingness to assist and appealed to President Volodymyr Zelensky for help in saving North Korean soldiers, whom he termed "cannon fodder."
Lee Min-bok is known as an activist against the Kim Jong Un regime. He gained recognition for his efforts of sending balloons over North Korea carrying one-dollar bills, computer flash drives, and leaflets debunking the personality cult surrounding North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
There has previously been an "arranged meeting" of opposing units in the Ukraine war. In April 2022, a confrontation took place in the battle for the Ukrainian city of Popasna in the Donbas region, between pro-Russian "Kadyrovites" and Chechen volunteers siding with Ukraine.
How valuable is Kim's army? They might be hungry, but they will still fight
- Is this some sort of hysteria?! We are inundated with reports of the Korean contingent, but what capability does such an army truly have there? They don't know Russian and aren't familiar with the military systems used in Russia. They're left with a Kalashnikov, a spade, and the task of entering the trenches as cannon fodder, - comments Gen. Waldemar Skrzypczak, former commander of the Land Forces. - I have serious doubts about the actual involvement of North Koreans in fighting on Russia's side, - he adds.
Gen. Skrzypczak agrees that North Korean units likely lack high combat potential. In his view, the size of the troops (previously estimated at 12,000-30,000 soldiers) does not alter the balance of forces in the war.
- It would be misleading to think they would easily be persuaded to surrender or switch sides. Let's not forget that Kim's regime holds the fates of the soldiers' families, who could end up in penal camps. These soldiers could be terrorized. Though hungry, they might still go to fight, - he concludes.
The WP interlocutor emphasizes seeing the greatest threat in the political cooperation between Russia and North Korea. - Such an alliance, supported by China, will demand the attention of the American administration. The United States is involved in three regions: the war in Ukraine, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the Far East. This situation is favourable for Putin because American politicians and officials have to divide their actions among these three arenas, - Gen. Skrzypczak further comments.
Will Kim Jong Un's army stand by Putin's army? What is known about the cooperation
According to estimates by the Ukrainian military intelligence, about 12,000 soldiers (including three generals and 500 officers) have already reached Russia. They have trained in five ranges of coordination and cooperation with units from both countries. Korean soldiers would likely participate in battles as mercenaries, wearing Russian uniforms and carrying Russian documents.
Responding to these reports, known for his firm stance against Kim's regime, South Korean President Yoon Seok-yeol stated that his country is considering providing military aid to Ukraine. Considerations include supplying air defence and missile systems, as well as deliveries of K9 howitzers, K2 tanks, and ammunition - reported Business Insider.
According to the Ukrainian agency Unian, South Korea's support for Kyiv might include supplying intelligence about North Korean weapons and tactics, as suggested by Korean analysts.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Friday at 3:00 p.m. ET that military command reports indicate the first North Korean units would be deployed by Russia in the battle zones around October 28. So far, there is no evidence of their involvement in the war. Ukrainian military experts expect that North Koreans may engage in the front lines in the Russian Kursk region. They could form the 2nd and 3rd security lines for the front, enabling some Russian forces to participate in recapturing areas from Ukrainian control.
