When the invasion of Ukraine started, I suggested Putin trade food and fuel to North Korea, for troops. That way Russian parents don’t get upset about their spawn coming home with pieces missing, or in a bag. And Kim gets the food and fuel his country needs.
The other takeaway is that NK has probably already sold all the arms and ammo to Putin that they can afford to.
I just finished an article on the brutal tactics that are used to prevent defections. Retribution is for the WHOLE family, not just a loved one, but like generations of family.
There was a guy on the “news” last night, saying the NK soldiers would all defect to “a western democracy”. I thought, “with their family back in NK? I don’t think so”
That is still quite a large number and I imagine they are better trained than their Russian counterparts, although early accounts suggest they under control of Russian commanders. Meat wave tactics are likely to continue.
My main takeaway is that this is a tacit admission that Russia cannot generate sufficient troop strength internally.
I do not know about resources, but those responsible for training trainees in Russia are most likely more corrupt, and those in North Korea most likely more terrified of failing to please dear leader?
Various sources have reported that North Korea has compulsory military service for 10 years for most males.
Russia also technically has compulsory service for males, but is only for one year, and there are many exemptions. Conscripts by law cannot be deployed in combat. The mobiks who have been going to the front lines get about a month of training before being deployed.
So, they sit in their barracks, because the country is too broke/spends so much on missiles and nukes, that there is no fuel or ammo for exercises? the NK army has not fought since 1953.
Neither of them have the best and brightest leading anyone. The Russian youth with better minds fled long ago. The NK’s do not allow independent thought. Good luck finding an intelligent lieutenant or sergeant in a battle. Cannon fodder approach to life.
The drones won’t let most of them get to the front.
That’s the general consensus. The Norks don’t have much money for fuel and ammo and relies on mostly antiquated equipment, so training involves lots of political indoctrination and not much shooting. As a result, most analysts assess North Korean troops as being highly disciplined but not very skilled.
North Korean military doctrine is based around massed infantry attacks supported by heavy artillery. Similar to Russia in that regard. So, they need poor slobs who are willing to charge into battle.
I agree with all that, except for that last part. The Russians have a similar philosophy where they don’t want soldiers thinking/acting independently and so just order costly human wave assaults.
Ukraine doesn’t have enough fire power to stop it. Slow it them down to a crawl yes, but not stop it.