Marta Gichko09:03, 30.10.24

The rank of Deputy Chief of the General Staff and the title of Colonel General may not be entirely appropriate for commanding a 12,000-strong contingent.

The DPRK has sent a group of 11-12 thousand troops to Russia, along with Deputy Chief of General Staff Kim Yong Bok. This commander is close to Kim Jong-un, which increases his status in this mission, Defense Express writes.

According to South Korean intelligence, Kim Yong Bok will lead the North Korean operation in the war against Ukraine. In the past, he commanded the 11th “assault” corps, on the basis of which the DPRK special forces were formed.

However, his rank as deputy chief of staff and colonel general may not be entirely appropriate for commanding a 12,000-strong force, which is usually reserved for lower-level officers. It is unlikely that North Korean generals will be given actual command, as their role is likely to be limited to acting as an auxiliary force.

Defense Express notes that Kim Yong-bok’s main goal may be to gain practical experience from the Russian military, which will allow him to adjust North Korea’s strategies in the confrontation with South Korea, improve military training, and introduce new approaches to troop management.

For North Korea, this is a very important experience, since its armed forces operate in conditions of international isolation. The DPRK forces can adopt Russian approaches, in particular the massive use of artillery, limited mechanization, and the tactics of continuous attacks with numerous forces.

However, there is one key element that the DPRK is still missing: drones. Pyongyang is likely considering acquiring Russian reconnaissance and attack drone technology for use in future operations.

(C)UNIAN 2024