North Korea's wartime gains: Military modernization amid losses
North Korea is the only country, alongside Ukraine and Russia, gaining direct experience in full-scale warfare in the 21st century, emphasized the head of Ukrainian military intelligence (HUR), Gen. Kyrylo Budanov, in an interview with the South Korean daily Chosun Ilbo.
As Budanov stressed, Pyongyang, despite human losses, is reaping many benefits from this war.
Budanov noted that North Korea is using the conflict to gain combat experience and modernize its military technologies. This will have lasting consequences for the security architecture in the Asia-Pacific region, assessed the head of HUR. He also pointed out that about 4,000 North Korean soldiers have been killed or seriously wounded on the front in the Kursk region in western Russia.
Despite these losses, North Koreans continue to participate in joint operations with Russian troops actively. Budanov added that there is no evidence of Pyongyang preparing additional special forces, although an increase in artillery and missile units has been noted.
Cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow
In mid-February, the Ministry of Defense in Seoul confirmed that Pyongyang delivered around 200 long-range artillery launchers to Moscow. Budanov pointed out the deepening military cooperation between Russia and North Korea in the fields of technology, science, and industry. He cited technical modifications to the North Korean KN-23 missile, which have increased its precision, as an example.
General Budanov expressed hope for deepening cooperation between Ukraine and South Korea, as North Korean actions threaten both countries. "The exchange of intelligence information and battlefield experiences" would be beneficial for both sides, he noted.
According to South Korean authorities, Kim Jong Un has sent over 10,000 soldiers to assist Russia in the war against Ukraine in exchange for Russian technological support.
Ukrainian troops entered the Kursk region on August 6, 2024, aiming to force the Russians to redirect some forces from the Donbas in eastern Ukraine.
