The gnawing hunger and relentless malnourishment Haneul endured during his time in the North Korean military shaped his memories of service. In his first month, he lost 10kg, surviving on cracked corn and moldy cabbage. By the third month, severe malnutrition had affected nearly his entire battalion, requiring their transfer to a recovery center. Even on the frontlines at the border with South Korea, where rations included rice instead of corn, much of it was siphoned off, leaving a sand-laced remainder. These hardships, despite attempts to ensure loyalty, failed to stop Haneul from defecting across the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) in 2012.

Haneul's experience provides insight into the condition of thousands of North Korean troops reportedly deployed to aid Russia in its conflict with Ukraine. Approximately 11,000 soldiers, many from the elite Storm Corps, are said to have joined the fight. While reports from South Korea, the U.S., and Ukraine confirm their participation and estimate over 100 casualties, the true scale and impact of these forces remain uncertain. Despite being considered elite, defectors and experts reveal that these soldiers are often underfed and lack familiarity with modern warfare, making their deployment fraught with challenges.

The Storm Corps undergoes specialized training, including martial arts and unconventional weaponry, but their physical condition often contradicts the propaganda. Videos of frail, young soldiers in Russia starkly contrast with state-produced footage of superhuman feats. Defector Lee Hyun Seung, who once trained North Korea's special forces, confirms the gap between reality and perception. He describes a military culture where loyalty and obedience to the regime are paramount, reinforced by daily ideological sessions. This unwavering allegiance, coupled with a survivalist mindset, makes these troops a unique but unpredictable factor in the conflict.

Adapting to the flatlands and trenches of Kursk could be a significant challenge for these soldiers, whose training is tailored to the mountainous terrain of the Korean Peninsula. Their traditional role as infiltrators behind enemy lines is not suited for frontline combat. However, North Korea’s lack of conventional forces, which are often preoccupied with non-combat tasks, compelled Kim Jong Un to send the Storm Corps to avoid damaging the country’s military reputation in Russia.

Language barriers and poor communication have already led to mishaps, including a reported incident where North Korean troops accidentally fired on a Russian battalion. Despite such setbacks, experts caution against underestimating the troops. Their ideological conditioning, coupled with a deeply ingrained loyalty to the regime, could make them formidable adversaries. Defection, a potential strategy hoped for by Kyiv and Seoul, may prove unlikely due to the soldiers' lack of exposure to counter-narratives and the stigma of becoming a prisoner of war.

Efforts to influence North Korean soldiers through psychological operations face considerable obstacles. Messages via loudspeakers or leaflets may have limited impact, as defectors like Haneul and Ryu note that the decision to abandon the regime often takes years of exposure and internal conflict. The absence of mobile phones and strict supervision further isolate these soldiers. Nevertheless, individuals like Lee Hyun Seung are determined to try, believing that familiar voices could provide a rare psychological lifeline.

For Haneul, the fate of the troops deployed to Russia strikes a personal chord. With relatives potentially among them, he wishes for their safe return to North Korea. His story underscores the human cost of loyalty and survival in a regime that values ideology over the well-being of its people. The deployment of North Korean forces in Russia adds a new dimension to the conflict, blending desperation, ideology, and resilience in a complex narrative.

Disclaimer:This image is taken from Getty Images.