31-10-2024 (KYIV) Ukrainian authorities have identified three high-ranking North Korean military commanders allegedly overseeing thousands of Korean People’s Army (KPA) troops deployed alongside Russian forces, marking an unprecedented level of military cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow.
In a detailed submission to the UN Security Council on Wednesday, Ukrainian officials revealed that Colonel General Kim Yong Bok, Colonel General Ri Chang Ho, and Major General Sin Kum Cheol are among an estimated 500 North Korean officers currently stationed in Russia.
According to military experts, the deployment represents a significant shift in North Korea’s military engagement abroad. “This is a large and almost unprecedented deployment for the KPA,” noted Michael Madden, a North Korea leadership specialist at the Stimson Center. He suggested that Kim Yong Bok’s presence likely indicates direct oversight from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
The Ukrainian delegation reported that North Korean forces are being integrated into Russian units in groups of 2,000 to 3,000 soldiers, deliberately structured to minimise their visibility. Russia’s UN representative, Vassily Nebenzia, defended the military cooperation, asserting it complies with international law.
Col Gen Kim Yong Bok, who commands special forces including the elite XI Corps (Storm Corps), has maintained a high profile in Pyongyang, appearing at seven events with Kim Jong Un this year. Col Gen Ri Chang Ho, who heads North Korea’s main intelligence service, has faced South Korean sanctions for alleged cyber operations targeting technology and currency theft.
The junior of the three, Maj Gen Sin Kum Cheol, is expected to assume operational command once his superior officers return to North Korea, according to analysts familiar with the arrangement.
This military collaboration marks a significant escalation in support for Russia’s campaign in Ukraine, which began in February 2022. While initially denying involvement, North Korea has since defended its right to deploy troops, characterising the action as legitimate international cooperation.
