Getty ImagesThe US and Ukraine say North Korean troops are combating Ukrainian forces in Russia’s Kursk regionWhat Haneul recalls maximum about his time within the North Korean army is the gnawing, steady starvation. He misplaced 10kg in his first month of carrier, because of a vitamin of cracked corn and mouldy cabbage.3 months into coaching, he says nearly his whole battalion was once significantly malnourished and had to be despatched to a restoration centre to achieve weight.After they have been later deployed as frontline guards to the border with South Korea, rice changed corn. However by the point it reached their bowls, a lot have been siphoned off through rear gadgets, and the rest have been minimize with sand.Haneul says his unit was once a number of the best-fed, a tactic to prevent them defecting to South Korea. However it failed to stop Haneul.In 2012, he made a death-defying sprint around the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) – the strip of land dividing the North from the South.His revel in and that of alternative army defectors is helping make clear the situation of 1000’s of North Korean troops deployed to the frontline in Russia’s struggle in opposition to Ukraine.
BBC/Hosu LeeHaneul was once deployed as a border guard within the Demilitarised Zone with South Korea when he defected in 2012Pyongyang has reportedly despatched round 11,000 troops to lend a hand Russian forces reclaim a part of its Kursk area taken through Ukraine in a wonder summer time offensive.Previous this week, Seoul, Washington and Kyiv mentioned mentioned the warriors had now entered the struggle “in vital numbers”, and reported the primary casualties, with South Korean officers estimating greater than 100 had already been killed and extra injured. This determine has now not been showed.Then again, defectors and different army professionals have advised the BBC those troops will have to now not be underestimated.In step with South Korean intelligence, maximum belong to the elite Typhoon Corps unit, and feature “excessive morale”, however “lack an working out of modern battle”.Handiest the taller, sportier males are decided on for the Typhoon Corps, says defector Lee Hyun Seung, who skilled North Korea’s particular forces within the early 2000s earlier than defecting in 2014.He taught them martial arts, how one can throw knives and make guns out of cutlery and different kitchen utensils.However although the Typhoon Corps’ coaching is extra complicated than that of standard North Korean gadgets, the warriors are nonetheless underfed or even malnourished.On-line movies, reportedly of the troops in Russia, display more youthful, “frail” squaddies, Haneul says. They’re a stark distinction to Pyongyang’s propaganda movies, the place males are observed bursting out of iron chains and smashing blocks of ice with their naked fingers.All the way through his whole time within the military, Haneul says he fired handiest 3 bullets in one live-fire coaching consultation.The nearest he got here to fight was once when a hungry farmer stumbled into the DMZ on the lookout for greens. Haneul says he unnoticed directions to “shoot any intruders” and let the person pass with a caution.
BBC/Maxine CollinsLee Hyun Seung was once a distinct forces teacher in North Korea within the early 2000sIt is hard to understand how a lot has modified within the decade since Haneul defected, given the shortage of data from North Korea. Apparently that the rustic’s chief Kim Jong Un has directed a lot of his restricted assets into missiles and nuclear guns relatively than his status military.However in keeping with any other soldier, Ryu Seonghyun, who defected in 2019, the primary 3 years within the army are “extremely difficult”, even for the particular forces. The 28-year-old, who labored as a motive force within the air pressure for seven years, says that throughout his carrier, prerequisites deteriorated and rice steadily disappeared from foods.”The warriors are despatched into the mountains for days with a small quantity of rice, and are advised it is a part of their survival coaching.”Given those troops had been skilled to struggle within the mountainous Korean Peninsula, the defectors query how smartly they’ll adapt to combating at the flatlands and within the trenches of Kursk.Crucially, the Typhoon Corps aren’t a frontline unit. “Their project is to infiltrate enemy strains and create chaos deep inside of enemy territory,” Ryu says.However, he provides, Kim Jong Un has no choice to sending particular forces, as common squaddies spend maximum in their time farming, construction or slicing picket.”Kim Jong Un needed to ship males who may just display no less than a undeniable degree of fight talent, to steer clear of harmful North Korea’s popularity in Russia.”
BBC/Hosu LeeRyu says squaddies are despatched into the mountains for days with a small quantity of rice as a part of survival trainingThe language barrier turns out to have created an extra hurdle. On Sunday, Ukraine’s defence intelligence unit mentioned conversation problems had led to North Korean squaddies unintentionally firing on a Russian battalion, killing 8.With those exams, it might be simple to disregard the troops as “cannon fodder” and an indication of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s desperation. However that might be a mistake, the defectors say. Their loyalty to the regime and combating spirit will depend for lots.”Many of the squaddies within the Typhoon Corps come from working-class or farming households, who’re extremely obedient to the birthday party and can observe orders no doubt,” says Haneul, whose father and cousin have been within the particular forces.Intense, ideological “brainwashing” classes, held each and every morning, will additional be certain that they’re mentally in a position, Lee provides. He believes the North Korean troops “will transform acquainted with the battlefield, learn to struggle the enemy, and to find techniques to live to tell the tale”.Even though the warriors is not going to had been given a decision over whether or not to be deployed, Ryu thinks many may have sought after to move. The formidable will see it as a possibility to advance their careers, he says.And given how difficult it’s to serve in North Korea, some may have relished the risk to revel in existence in another country for the primary time.”I feel they are going to be extra prepared to struggle than Russian troops,” he provides, admitting that of their scenario, he too would have sought after to be despatched.Chun In-bum, a former commander of South Korea’s particular forces, has the same opinion with the defectors’ value determinations. “Simply because they lack meals and coaching, does now not imply they’re incapable. They are going to acclimatise temporarily. We will have to now not underestimate them.”Whilst 11,000 troops are not likely to show the tide of such an attritional struggle – it’s estimated Russia is struggling greater than one thousand casualties an afternoon – professionals and officers imagine this might be simply the primary tranche, with Pyongyang probably ready to ship as much as 60,000 and even 100,000 if they’re turned around.In those numbers, Mr Chun believes they may finally end up being efficient.Additionally, Kim Jong Un will have the ability to shoulder large losses with out affecting the stableness of his regime, the previous squaddies say.”Those that had been despatched shall be males with out affect or connections – to position it bluntly, those that can also be sacrificed with out factor,” Haneul says.He recalls being surprised to be informed there have been no youngsters of high-ranking folks in his frontline unit: “That is once I realised we have been expendable.”He does now not be expecting a lot resistance from the households of the deceased, whose sons, he says, shall be honoured as heroes.”There are numerous folks who’ve misplaced a kid after sending them to the army,” he provides, recalling his 2nd cousin who died. His aunt won a certificates, praising her son for his heroic contribution.
ReutersPhotos launched through North Korea’s state media in March 2024 display particular forces squaddies collaborating in a coaching sessionThe loyalty of the warriors and their households may just blunt Ukrainian and South Korean hopes that many will merely defect when they input the struggle. Kyiv and Seoul have mentioned undertaking mental operations alongside the frontline to inspire the lads to give up.However it sort of feels they don’t have get entry to to cell phones. In step with Ukrainian intelligence, even Russian squaddies’ telephones are seized earlier than they come across North Korean troops.So, imaginable infiltration methods come with broadcasting messages thru loudspeakers or the use of drones to drop leaflets.Each Ryu and Haneul determined to defect after studying anti-regime propaganda despatched around the border from South Korea. However they’re unsure this might paintings to this point from house.They are saying it takes a very long time to increase the will and braveness to defect.Moreover, Haneul suspects the officials may have been ordered to shoot someone who makes an attempt to escape. He recalls his comrades opening fireplace as he made his bold dash around the DMZ.”Twelve bullets flew only a metre over my head,” he says.Even taking pictures the North Korean troops would possibly end up difficult for Ukraine.Within the North, being a prisoner of struggle is regarded as extraordinarily shameful and worse than loss of life. As a substitute, squaddies are taught to take their very own lives, through taking pictures themselves or detonating a grenade.Ryu recollects a well-known army tune entitled Save the Final Bullet. “They let you know to avoid wasting two bullets, one to shoot the enemy and one to shoot your self.”Nonetheless, the previous particular forces teacher Lee is made up our minds to lend a hand. He has introduced to visit the frontline to keep in touch without delay with the warriors.”It is not likely they’ll defect in huge numbers, however now we have to take a look at. Listening to acquainted voices like mine, and others from North Korea, would possibly have an effect on their psychology,” he says.Haneul simply hopes they get house to North Korea. He is aware of there’s a probability a few of his kin are a number of the troops despatched to lend a hand Russia.”I simply hope they make it thru and go back safely.”Further reporting through Jake Kwon and Hosu Lee
