North Korean troops bolster Russia in Ukraine conflict

Since high-ranking officials are being involved in the North Korean action in the war in Ukraine, the political significance of this action increases. However, militarily, it will not be a breakthrough in the war. I think the most important aspect here is Kim Jong Un's political maneuver, hoping for economic benefits, comments Professor Krzysztof Żęgota from the University of Warmia and Mazury, who studies security policy in Russia.

This comment responds to the latest reports from the Kyodo News agency, indicating that "a high-ranking official of the North Korean army and close associate of leader Kim Jong Un has arrived in Russia to oversee the North Korean troops stationed there."

The official in question is Gen. Kim Jong Bok, deputy chief of the General Staff of the Korean People's Army. He often appears just behind the leader during events involving the regime's leader. He is seen with a notebook, demonstrating full engagement as he diligently takes notes on Kim's remarks.

South Korean media have unofficially obtained a list of officers commanding the North Korean troops recently sent to Russia. It is unclear exactly when General Kim Jong Bok arrived in Russia, but he was there on October 24th. A South Korean delegation confirmed his presence in Russia during a NATO officials' briefing in Brussels on October 28th. The three-star general was identified as the "commander-in-chief" of the North Korean forces in Russia.

Michael Madden, an analyst for the 38 North service on events in North Korea wrote that In March this year, Colonel General Kim Jong Bok in Russia was identified as acting deputy chief of the General Staff, which places him in the high command of North Korea. Thanks to this position, he serves as the main advisor to Kim Jong Un on light infantry and special operations. He participated in seven public exercises and inspections with Kim in 2024. Three of them involved special forces exercises, and one was an artillery exercise. Others were related to post-flood reconstruction in North Pyongan Province.

Madden points out that the extraordinary number of special forces exercises already signaled that North Korea would deploy troops to Russia. Besides his military rank, Gen. Bok is also a party dignitary and likely has direct, unlimited access to the regime leader.

The analyst describes that many observers might assume that he would take on the position of field commander. On the other hand, why would Kim put a reliable, close associate in the line of fire? Three-star colonel generals do not command brigade-sized units. If Colonel General Kim went to Russia, a more reasonable interpretation would be that he is overseeing the transition of North Korean special forces into the theater of operations in Ukraine and consolidating command and control over all North Korean resources on Ukraine's battlefield.

The first significant public activity of Gen. Bok was at the so-called loyalty rally in 2015, commemorating the anniversary of the birth of the late North Korean leader Kim Jong Il. At the same time, he formally replaced Gen. Choe Kyong Song (likely demoted) as the commander of the 11th Army Corps, a unit referred to as the "Storm Corps." The Corps is known for its task of leading diversion and attacks on South Korea.

Estimates of the number of North Korean forces involved in the Russian war range from about 3,500 to 12,000 soldiers. This number translates to one to two brigades. Neither the Kremlin nor the North Korean government has denied the deployment of North Korean troops. In Ukraine, among its Western allies, and in South Korea, the appearance of Russia's ally has triggered concerns about the escalation of the conflict.

According to analysts, by providing military support to Russia, Kim Jong-un may hope to gain access to important technologies, including those that would allow him to enhance his nuclear program. The North Korean authorities are hiding the soldiers' participation in the war from their own population, fearing a negative reaction. Pentagon experts have confirmed that about 10,000 North Korean soldiers have arrived in Russia and will enter combat in the coming weeks. They are likely positioned as a force securing positions in the Russian-recaptured Kursk Oblast.