North Korea has deepened its participation in what has become an unconventional proxy war in Ukraine. This dramatic turnaround reportedly has officials in South Korea deeply concerned. Recent reports indicate that North Korea is supplying approximately 40% of all munitions used by Russia in its war against Ukraine. This new military partnership bodes ill not just for regional stability, but for global security as well.
In the fall of last year, North Korea deployed up to 12,000 troops into Russia’s Kursk region. They were there to provide proactive aid to counter enemy actions. These soldiers are not only gaining practical military experience but are being trained in advanced warfare techniques, including the operation of drones and electronic warfare systems. This training, organized by Russian military instructors, is an important step forward in what has long been an archaic North Korean military doctrine.
Arms Production and Military Cooperation
North Korea’s arms production is at an all-time high thanks to direct deposits made by Russia for munitions. These financial agreements have enabled North Korea to almost double their weapons production. This wave ensures a continuous influx of weapons for its armed forces and aids Russia’s long-tempered support for the ceasefire-breaking war against Ukraine.
In addition, North Korean ballistic missiles, including the KN-23, have been improved with Russian technology to increase their accuracy. These missiles have wreaked havoc on Ukrainian urban centers like Kharkiv, where civilians sheltering in underground transit stations have been killed by missile strikes. An example, left, of a KN-23 missile that hit a residential building in Kyiv. Unfortunately, the attack killed 12 bystanders with no connection to the carnage.
“This must be addressed now, not when thousands of upgraded Shahed drones and ballistic missiles begin to threaten Seoul and Tokyo.” – Volodymyr Zelenskyy
The collaboration between North Korea and Russia highlights a concerning trend. As North Korea learns from its participation in the conflict, it poses a growing threat to South Korea and its allies. South Korean military analysts have called this partnership a “grave threat” and call for detailed countermeasures.
Enhanced Military Training for North Korean Troops
The kind of military training North Korean troops receive goes far beyond conventional warfare training. They are learning the hard way about combined arms warfare—the practice of bringing together different military capabilities for a greater collective impact. This includes the adoption of reconnaissance drones and other technologies that were new to them.
Russian instructors are said to be conducting the high-level training inside North Korea. This decision considerably deepens the military partnership between the two countries. As we have seen, this mutual exchange of information and tactics would almost certainly increase North Korea’s battlefield effectiveness.
Chun In-bum, a retired South Korean general, called it sobering. He stated, “We are dealing with a level 10 super Godzilla,” highlighting the potential dangers posed by an empowered North Korean military.
Implications for Regional Security
The consequences of North Korea’s increasingly aggressive military campaign reach far beyond its borders. The enhanced capabilities gained from combat experience in Ukraine and cooperation with Russia raise concerns among defense analysts in Seoul. Fumigation opponents say the current crisis should be a wake-up call.
“This should be a real wake-up call.” – Chun In-bum
Yet for all these warnings, some argue that bureaucratic inertia will stop any action before it happens. Chun continued, “The bureaucracy looks at it and sees a tiger. This is illustrative of how leaders are frequently blindsided by major threats because they’re stuck in the weeds managing today’s fires.
All of this comes as North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-un has publicly extended his “unconditional” support for Russia. This support is paired with troop redeployment and increased arms production to support Russia’s military campaigns. This strategic alignment between the two countries serves to strengthen diplomatic relations between the two nations. It further cements military cooperation as both countries come under increasing criticism and global condemnation.
News began emerging in January of North Korean labor prisoners taken captive by the armed forces of Ukraine. One of these prisoners remarked on his willingness to fight, stating, “Yes, because I will be treated like a hero. I fought in a modern war.” Such sentiments mirror the recruiting environment cultivated by North Korea while the regime continues to harden its commitment to international military engagement.