Russia and North Korea: Training and Weaponry Concerns Mount
Recent footage shows North Korean soldiers training with advanced Russian weaponry, raising concerns in the West and South Korea. This training could provide North Korean troops with invaluable combat experience. The collaboration includes military technology transfers and has critical implications for regional security.
Recent footage released by Russia’s Defense Ministry illustrates North Korean soldiers engaged in training exercises with a variety of Russian weaponry, including AK-12 assault rifles, Dragunov sniper rifles, and specialized Vepr-12 shotguns, reportedly adapted for drone targeting. According to Business Insider, this military collaboration between Russia and North Korea has triggered significant concern among Western nations and South Korea, where officials are wary about North Korean troops acquiring critical skills in modern warfare.
The video footage also depicts North Korean forces engaged in trench clearing drills, grenade handling practices, and operation of RPG-7 grenade launchers. These advanced armaments align with reports from Ukrainian intelligence indicating that Russia provided similar weaponry to North Korea in late 2024. While the legitimacy of the claims regarding North Korean troops’ deployment near Kursk remains unverified, the implications of this training are troubling for stability in the region.
Concerns further compounded when Moscow finally acknowledged, after a prolonged period of silence, that North Korean soldiers are indeed participating in the conflict against Ukrainian forces. Observers note that this involvement may furnish Pyongyang with invaluable combat experience, particularly concerning the use of modern weaponry and drone tactics—skills that would enhance their military capabilities dramatically.
Reports indicated that military technologies are being exchanged, with Russia deploying North Korean troops in return. Initial estimates suggested that approximately 12,000 troops were sent from North Korea, though South Korean officials estimated the number to be closer to 11,000 soldiers. Notably, these North Korean forces have reportedly played a crucial role in Russia’s successful strategy to regain control over key territories in Kursk Oblast.
The United States State Department has openly criticized North Korea’s military involvement, arguing that it supports Russia’s ongoing warfare against Ukraine and holds Pyongyang responsible for its aggressive actions. Further complicating matters, captured North Korean soldiers disclosed the existence of a military training base that mimics major South Korean cities, aiding in the preparation for potential military confrontations with Seoul.
South Korean lawmaker Yoo Young-won recently traveled to Ukraine, where he spoke with two North Korean prisoners of war (POWs). He learned from them that the aforementioned training base is situated in Koksan County, which lies just 65 kilometers away from the Demilitarized Zone, highlighting the serious security threat posed by this relationship.
In summary, the release of footage showing North Korean troops training with advanced Russian weaponry raises substantial concerns regarding military readiness and capabilities of North Korea. The partnership between Russia and North Korea not only facilitates the sharing of military technology but also enables North Korean forces to gain critical battlefield experience. As tensions heighten in the region, this collaboration appears to have significant implications for both regional and global security.
Original Source: euromaidanpress.com
