North Korean defectors who were sent by Kim Jong Un to help Russia in the war in Ukraine have shared their experiences.
They talked about their tough training, the poor conditions on the front lines, and the extreme measures they were taught to avoid being captured.
Although these soldiers might seem like "cannon fodder" at first, defectors say they should not be underestimated, writes Digi24.
Their loyalty to the regime makes them eager to fight, sometimes more than Russian troops.
Private Haneul, one of the defectors, recalls the constant hunger during his time in the North Korean army.
He lost 10 kg in the first month due to a diet of ground corn and moldy cabbage. After three months of training, his unit was so malnourished that they were sent to a recovery center.
When they were given rice, much of it was taken by other units and mixed with sand.
Despite these hardships, Haneul's unit was among the best-fed, to prevent defections.
Many of the North Korean soldiers sent to Ukraine came from the elite Storm Corps, a special operations unit.
They have high morale but lack modern combat training. These soldiers were selected for their size and strength and trained in martial arts, knife throwing, and using improvised weapons.
However, they are vulnerable due to malnutrition. Online videos show young, weak soldiers compared to the strong, idealized versions in North Korean propaganda.
Haneul says that, during his time in the army, he barely fired his weapon and only encountered a combat situation once.
Despite this, he believes North Korean troops will adapt to the battlefield in Ukraine, learning to fight and survive.
Many soldiers see this deployment as an opportunity to prove their loyalty and advance in their military careers.
The defectors explain that North Korean soldiers are extremely obedient and conditioned to follow orders without question.
This makes them even more dangerous on the battlefield, despite their lack of experience.
Ryu, another defector, says that while many of the soldiers don’t want to fight, they feel compelled to do so because of their intense loyalty to Kim Jong Un.
Experts agree that while North Korean troops might not change the course of the war, their numbers and determination could have an impact.
Even if they are not the most well-trained, they are unlikely to surrender. In North Korea, being taken prisoner is considered shameful, and soldiers are taught to take their own lives rather than be captured.
