North Korea remains one of the most militarized countries in the world, so the loss of a few soldiers is not a significant event for it. However, according to Ivan Tymochka, the head of the Council of Reservists of the Ground Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the death of six North Korean soldiers in Donbas may have deeper consequences if it becomes part of systematic cooperation between the armies of Russia and the DPRK. That’s what he’s about told on the air of the “Espresso” TV channel.
“North Korea is basically an insanely militarized country, the entire population is somehow pumped through the army, and there the loss of a few people is not so important”Tymochko stressed.
He noted that the significance of the North Korean military deaths is that these soldiers were selected, had some training and likely had important information. Their elimination made it impossible to transfer this information and experience, which makes it necessary for the DPRK to send new people to take their place. At the same time, taking into account the difficulty of leaving North Korea, it can be concluded that these military personnel were especially trusted persons of the regime, carefully checked by the special services.
According to Tymochka, cooperation between Russia and the DPRK has already reached a new level, as Moscow receives North Korean weapons. The sending of troops from North Korea to Russia may indicate several things: first, Russia lacks skilled operators of North Korean equipment and weapons, forcing them to establish joint training schools. Second, North Korea likely plans to integrate Russian weapons, including missiles and air defense systems, into its own defense system, perhaps in preparation for future confrontations with South Korea.
There is also a danger that the North Korean army and the Russian Armed Forces may try to integrate their forces for more effective cooperation, in particular against Ukraine or other countries.
“When it starts, you have to take it quite seriously”Tymochko summarized.
