What Everyone is Getting Wrong About North Korean Soldiers in Ukraine

Summary

In this video, Paul Warberg discusses the recent news about North Korean soldiers entering Ukraine to support Russia’s military efforts. He explores various theories behind the deployment, including the possibility of North Korea seeking combat experience and training for future wars. However, Warberg argues that this theory is unlikely given North Korea's strict control over its people and the regime’s desire to preserve its image. Instead, he suggests that North Korea's involvement is driven by a desire for resources and strengthening ties with Russia. The video also touches on Russia’s strategic move to deter Western involvement in the conflict.

Takeaways

• 😀 North Korea is reportedly sending 10,000 to 12,000 soldiers to Ukraine, a development confirmed by Ukrainian and South Korean intelligence, as well as geolocated video evidence.
• 😀 Despite the small number of soldiers, their involvement is seen as a major escalation by NATO, the U.S., Belarus, and China, with concerns that it could provoke a broader conflict.
• 😀 The theory that North Korea is sending soldiers for combat experience to prepare for a future war with Western powers is widely discussed but deemed unlikely by the speaker.
• 😀 North Korea is fundamentally different from Western nations in terms of military strategy, particularly in its focus on preserving the regime's power and preventing its people from learning about the outside world.
• 😀 The primary goal of the North Korean regime is to maintain control over its people, which involves preventing exposure to foreign ideas and military knowledge that could threaten the regime's authority.
• 😀 Historically, North Korea does not allow large groups of people, especially soldiers, to leave the country and return, as it fears they might bring back knowledge or defect.
• 😀 There have already been confirmed reports of North Korean soldiers defecting or deserting after arriving in foreign territories, which further complicates their involvement in Ukraine.
• 😀 The North Korean regime is unlikely to allow soldiers to return with military expertise learned in Ukraine, as this could undermine the regime's control and narrative of superiority.
• 😀 A more likely scenario is that North Korea will frame the deployment as a noble sacrifice of soldiers sent to aid Russia, rather than a strategic military learning mission.
• 😀 The likely motivation for North Korea's involvement is a desire for money and resources from Russia, in exchange for demonstrating full commitment to Russian interests in Ukraine, with little regard for actual military outcomes.

Q & A

Why are North Korean soldiers being sent to Ukraine?

North Korea is sending soldiers to Ukraine primarily to show support for Russia and to receive financial and military resources in return. It is not likely that they are being sent for combat experience, as North Korea's regime has strict control over its military and society.

How many North Korean soldiers are being sent to Ukraine?

Reports suggest that around 10,000 to 12,000 North Korean soldiers are being sent to fight alongside Russian forces in Ukraine.

What is the significance of sending 10,000 to 12,000 soldiers?

This number of soldiers is relatively small and is unlikely to significantly impact the outcome of the war. Russia is losing tens of thousands of soldiers every month, so 12,000 North Korean soldiers would only buy Russia a short amount of time, possibly one to two weeks.

What theory explains North Korea's involvement in the war?

One theory suggests that North Korea is sending soldiers to gain combat experience and training for future conflicts with Western powers. However, this theory is considered unlikely due to the unique nature of North Korean society, where the regime avoids exposing its soldiers to foreign influence.

Why is it unlikely that North Korea is sending soldiers to gain combat experience?

North Korea's regime is highly controlled, and the regime would not risk sending large groups of soldiers abroad where they might encounter outside ideas or experiences that could threaten the regime's stability. The country has historically avoided letting its people travel abroad, fearing defection or exposure to foreign ideologies.

What is the underlying reason for North Korea sending soldiers to Ukraine?

The most likely reason is that North Korea is seeking financial and military support from Russia. In exchange for sending soldiers, North Korea hopes to receive resources and aid from Russia.

How does Russia benefit from involving North Korean soldiers in the war?

Russia benefits by bolstering its military numbers without needing to rely on additional conscription, which could lead to social unrest. Additionally, involving North Korean soldiers serves as a strategic move to demonstrate to the West that Russia has other military resources at its disposal.

Why is North Korea's internal control so relevant to understanding its motivations?

North Korea's extreme control over its society means that any exposure to foreign influence is seen as a threat to the regime. Allowing soldiers to gain combat experience or knowledge from foreign forces would undermine the regime's ideological control and could lead to internal unrest.

What is the risk for North Korea in sending soldiers abroad?

The main risk for North Korea is that soldiers sent abroad could defect or be exposed to foreign ideas that threaten the regime’s control. Historically, North Korea has avoided sending large groups of people outside the country to minimize the chances of defection or rebellion.

What is the strategic message behind Russia's involvement of North Korean soldiers?

By involving North Korean soldiers, Russia aims to send a message to the West that it has additional military resources and allies it can rely on, potentially deterring further Western intervention or escalation in the war.