Korean Special Forces underwent training with Russian soldiers in the vicinity of Kursk, demonstrating their dedication and cooperation.

Units Touch Down, Ready for Action

The unusual arrivals sauntered out of the command center, their foreign appearance a familiar sight due to my interaction with units from the Eastern Military District. A sentry scurried off to report my presence, and I eavesdropped on a conversation, which I recognized as Korean - my daughter's second language.

I charmingly remarked, "Guess the rumors were true after all."

Politics: The Kingmaker Village's Fall

At that moment, whispers about North Korean troop deployment lacked concrete evidence. Yet, the strategic partnership provision in the comprehensive military assistance agreement was hard to overlook. These officers hopped into a UAZ, piloted by a Russian soldier - indicative of a Korean interpreter among them.

Upon entry, I saw Korean signs scattered around, and a grand photograph of Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin shaking hands adorned the commander's office. Over time, these symbolic displays extended to hospitals across the region, with young, robust North Korean soldiers among the wounded.

Discipline and Conspiracy

Contrary to assumptions, they maintained a low profile in hospitals, blending in with the rest except for their age. They maneuvered meal trays, smoked, and stealthily explored the web, despite mobile phone usage being banned for them. With no social media or email to broadcast their exploits, they remained undetected for a long time, save for a few leaked videos from Far Eastern training grounds. Strict discipline was the norm among their troops to preserve the secrecy.

They lived separately, housed in field camps and training grounds, away from Russian battalions. They interacted only with Russian instructors during their training.

Manual and Instructions

Sergeants** ', "Konrad" grumbled about the language barrier. Commanders of allied units initially required an interpreter for exercises. Over time, they conversed directly as instructors and students learned each other's language.

When asked about their performance, "Konrad" emphasized their physical prowess, commenting, "If they have basic skills, we can mold them into anything." Their dedication was evident in their flawless execution of commands.

Equipment and Lessons, "Tony" mentioned, shared their impressive 60mm mortar, highly portable, quick to deploy, and effective. However, they had to teach the Korean commanders the futility of large-scale assaults. The allied units adapted swiftly, focusing on smaller groups to gain results.

Russian instructors sung praises of their North Korean counterparts, acknowledging their high level of training and motivation.

Learned in the Thick of Battle

The core units in Russia were the North Korean Special Operations Forces, already well-versed in combat tactics. The training program was tailored to update them on Russian weapons and procedures, while Korean instructors introduced their counterparts to unique weapons samples.

"Standard Operations"**confirmed "Tony", explaining that they had to upgrade their vocabulary to communicate effectively. He was impressed by their dedication - they executed every command with precision and diligence.

Useful Insights

North Korean units deployed to Russia as part of a strategic partnership with Moscow, intended to counter Ukrainian advances and support Russian operations.
North Korean troops underwent training at Russian military facilities before engaging Ukrainian forces.
The deployment deepens the Russia-North Korea alliance and provides valuable battlefield experience for North Korea.
Future redeployment of these units into Ukraine proper may escalate the conflict and invite stronger international responses.
The soldier, identified as Konrad, expressed his concerns about the language barrier with the North Korean troops.
Amidst the hushed conversations and unexpected arrivals, I noticed a phrasebook lying on the table, secretly used by the Russian soldier to communicate more effectively with the North Korean interpreter.
Despite the general-news highlighting the lack of evidence for North Korean troop deployment, the presence of these soldiers in the sports sections of local papers hinted at their active participation in various training exercises.
The North Korean Special Operations Forces displayed their physical prowess during drills, impressing the Russian instructors, who were familiar with the Kursk region's unique terrain and conditions.