North Korean troops demonstrate proficiency with contemporary firearms and grenade launchers in training exercises, as per Russian video evidence of an emergency readiness drill.
In a shocking turn of events, Russia has published a chilling video showing North Korean troops training with fresh weapons, including the AK-12, in what seems like an unusual military collaboration. The video, published by state news agency TASS, is causing ripples of concern in Washington and Seoul, as experts fear that North Korea could learn valuable combat skills from this training.
The video shows soldiers practicing shooting, clearing trenches, and even handling an RPG-7, a rocket launcher that Russia is suspected of providing to North Korean troops. Some soldiers are seen with the AK-12, a modern, fifth-generation assault rifle, which entered service in Russia around 2020. The troops are also seen training with other weapons, such as the SVD sniper rifle and the PK machine gun, along with 12-gauge shotguns that are allegedly being used to shoot down drones.
Reports suggest that these soldiers are part of the North Korean forces in Kursk, where thousands of North Korean soldiers have reportedly been sent to support Russia. However, the authenticity of this claim couldn't be independently verified. Some sources claim that over 11,000 to 15,000 North Korean soldiers have been deployed, with an additional 3,000 sent in early 2025.
This alliance between Russia and North Korea has sparked fear in the West and South Korea. Experts worry that North Korean troops could gain valuable combat experience by learning to fight with and against modern weapons and drones. Initial reports from the front described North Korean troops as unprepared, suffering heavy losses due to their lack of experience handling exploding drones. However, there are signs that they are adapting, as seen in a drawing allegedly from a captured North Korean fighter, showing a, supposed, comrade technique to lure a drone into a trap.
The partnership between Russia and North Korea marks a significant escalation in military cooperation, with implications for both the ongoing Ukraine conflict and regional dynamics. This risky symbiosis has the potential to alter the political landscape of Northeast Asia, as Russia gains immediate battlefield resources while North Korea secures political patronage and military modernization. Experts caution that this alliance could lead to further sanctions against North Korea for its overt arms transfers to Russia, while raising alarms in South Korea, potentially prompting closer coordination with NATO and expanded defense partnerships to counter the Russia-North Korea axis.
What is the purpose of the North Korean troops training with modern weapons like the AK-12 and SVD in Seoul, as shown in the video published by TASS? General-news suggests that this collaboration with Russia could lead to significant combat experience, modernization, and potential escalation in military cooperation, with potential consequences for the Ukraine conflict, Northeast Asia, and the relationship between South Korea and Russia. Experts predict that this could result in stronger defense partnerships for South Korea in response, agreeing that this alliance poses a threat requiring careful consideration.
