What You Need to Know: North Korean troops, reportedly from the elite 11th Corps "Storm Corps", are fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, marking a significant escalation in the war. With reports suggesting 11,000 North Koreans already deployed and potentially up to 100,000 planned, their presence amplifies concerns that this localized conflict could evolve into a broader international struggle.

-The highly disciplined but inexperienced North Korean soldiers offer Russia much-needed manpower as it sustains heavy daily losses.

-While Ukraine has long served as a Western proxy, the deployment of foreign troops raises fears that other nations might follow suit, increasing the risk of a global conflict.

North Korean Troops in Ukraine: Does That Mean World War III? 

North Korean troops are fighting for Russia, in combat, against Ukrainian forces. The North Korean presence in Ukraine raises serious questions about the provincial nature of the conflict and enhances the possibility of greater international involvement in what is essentially a territorial dispute.  

Already a Proxy War or World War III? 

Ukraine has functionally been serving as a Western proxy since the war began. Indeed, the war commenced, in part, because of Western overtures towards Ukraine, i.e., the prospect of joining NATO. And since Putin commenced his invasion, in February 2022, a steady inflow of Western weapons, cash, and expertise has helped the Ukrainians to resist the larger, stronger Russian forces.  

The point is: that North Korean entry into the war is hardly the first investment of foreign capital into the conflict. However, the investment of foreign troops represents something of an escalation, drawing concerns that other nations could contribute manpower, creating what in essence would be a global struggle for a sliver of Eastern Ukraine.  

What are the North Koreans Doing? 

When reports surfaced that North Korean troops had joined the fray, some pundits suggested the inexperienced troops would be kept out of combat. But U.S. and Ukrainian intelligence are reporting otherwise: that the North Koreans are indeed participating in combat.  

How many North Korean troops have been deployed is unclear. 

Some initial reports suggested 11,000 North Koreans had been deployed, while other sources believe the Kim regime may ultimately deploy as many as 100,000 troops. Remember, North Korea has one of the world’s largest militaries, with 1.28 million active soldiers. The North Koreans are “thoroughly indoctrinated” but lack combat experience, one analyst, Mar Cancian, said. Still, the North Korean troops deployed to Russia appear to be amongst the most well-trained, coming from the 11th Corps, AKA the “Storm Corps.”

“A unit trained in infiltration, infrastructure sabotage, and assassinations,” the BBC reported.  

The Storm Corps soldiers are “trained to withstand a high degree of physical pain and psychological torture,” said Michael Madden, a North Korea expert. “What they lack in combat they make up for with what they can tolerate physically and mentally.” 

Such tolerance will be an asset on the fronts of Ukraine, where the fighting is reportedly of the most viscous variety experienced on the European continent since the conclusion of World War II. 

Regardless, the Russians are in a position where any troops, with any experience level, would be welcomed; reports indicate that the Russians are losing about 1,000 soldiers killed or wounded each day. Meanwhile, Moscow has recruited about 20,000 new soldiers per month, but many of the troops are pulled from the street and thrown into combat without proper training. 

So, by comparison, the North Korean special forces should be a welcomed option.  

Hopefully, North Korea’s entrance into the conflict will not inspire other nations to contribute manpower.  

About the Author: 

Harrison Kass is a defense and national security writer with over 1,000 total pieces on issues involving global affairs. An attorney, pilot, guitarist, and minor pro hockey player, Harrison joined the US Air Force as a Pilot Trainee but was medically discharged. Harrison holds a BA from Lake Forest College, a JD from the University of Oregon, and an MA from New York University. Harrison listens to Dokken.     

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