Kim Jong Nok oversees North Korean troops in Russia's war effort

As high-ranking officials are involved in North Korea's actions in the war in Ukraine, the political significance of this move increases. However, from a military standpoint, it will not be a turning point in the war. I believe the main factor here is Kim Jong Un's political manoeuvre, aimed at achieving economic benefits.

This is a response to the latest reports from the Kyodo News agency, which indicate that a high-ranking official of the North Korean army and close associate of leader Kim Jong Un has arrived in Russia to oversee the North Korean troops stationed there.

This concerns Gen. Kim Jong Bok, deputy chief of the General Staff of the Korean People's Army. During events involving the regime's leader, he often appears directly behind him. He is seen with a notebook, actively taking notes of Kim's remarks.

South Korean media have unofficially obtained a list of officers commanding the North Korean troops recently sent to Russia. It is unclear exactly when General Kim Jong Bok arrived in Russia, but it has been established that he was there on 24th October. His presence in Russia was corroborated by a South Korean delegation during a NATO officials' briefing in Brussels on 28th October. The three-star general was identified as the "commander-in-chief" of the North Korean forces in Russia.

Michael Madden, an analyst for the 38 North service on events in North Korea writes that earlier this year, Colonel General Kim Jong Bok was identified in Russia as acting deputy chief of the General Staff, placing him in a senior position within North Korea. Due to this role, he serves as a principal advisor to Kim Jong Un on light infantry and special operations. He participated in seven public exercises and inspections with Kim in 2024. Three of them were special forces exercises, one was an artillery exercise. Others related to post-flood reconstruction in North Pyongan Province.

He notes that the significant number of special forces exercises suggested that North Korea would deploy troops to Russia. Gen. Bok, besides his military rank, is also a party official and probably has direct, unfettered access to the regime leader.

The analyst elaborates that many might assume that he would become the field commander. However, why would Kim place a trusted associate in harm's way? Three-star colonel generals do not lead brigade-sized units. If Colonel General Kim went to Russia, a more plausible explanation would be that he would supervise the integration of North Korean special forces into operations in Ukraine and strengthen command and control over all North Korean resources on Ukraine's battlefield.

Gen. Bok's first notable public appearance was at the loyalty rally in 2015, commemorating the late North Korean leader Kim Jong Il's birth anniversary. At the same time, he formally succeeded Gen. Choe Kyong Song (likely demoted) as the commander of the 11th Army Corps, a unit known as the "Storm Corps." The Corps is reputed for leading diversionary attacks against South Korea.

Estimates of the number of North Korean forces participating in the Russian war range from about 3,500 to 12,000 soldiers. This number equates to one to two brigades. Neither the Kremlin nor the North Korean government has refuted the deployment of North Korean troops. In Ukraine, among its Western allies, and in South Korea, the emergence of Russia's ally has raised concerns over the conflict's escalation.

According to analysts, by extending military support to Russia, Kim Jong-un may aim to access essential technologies, including those that could enhance his nuclear programme. The North Korean authorities are concealing the soldiers' involvement in the war from their own populace, fearing adverse reactions. Pentagon experts have confirmed that about 10,000 North Korean soldiers have arrived in Russia and will engage in combat in the forthcoming weeks. They are likely stationed as a force securing positions in the Russian-recaptured Kursk Oblast.