Hacker, scout and mysterious general: who from the DPRK came to Russia to fight with Ukraine
In a statement, the UN Security Council on Wednesday, the delegation of Ukraine stated that these three generals are among the at least 500 North Korean officers sent to Russia. The statement states that the North Korean troops are planned to form at least five formations of 2000-3000 soldiers in each and integrate into Russian units to hide their presence. Russia does not deny the participation of the North Korean troops in the war it has been running in Ukraine since February 2022.
After the initial objection, North Korea also began to defend the idea of placing troops, considering it that is in accordance with international law. At the same meeting of the Security Council, the Russian Special Representative Vasyl Nemenza stated that Russia's military interaction with North Korea did not violate international law and that Moscow has the right to seek help from its partners.
Ukraine has identified Colonel-General Kim Jon Bok, a senior general, a special purpose commander, including the XI Corps, also known as the Storm Corps, which, according to South Korean intelligence, was sent to Russia.
Michael Medden, North Korea leadership expert from Stimson's American Center, said that Kim's role is probably wider: he manages the Bureau on the Leadership of Light Infantry Preparation KNA, which includes XI Corps and Light infantry units, deployed in KNA Corps and to the special missions of the Main Intelligence Administration, which is the Chief Spy Agency of North Korea.
This year, Kim John Bok participated in seven events with the North Korean leader Kim Cenn, including special forces training. "It is a large -scale and almost unprecedented deployment for the Korean People's Army. There is a number of administrative and connecting tasks in this connection, so Kim Jong -in has sent Kim John Bok as a trusted person who makes a decision," said Meden, who thinks he believes that he believes The general is in Russia as Kim Jong -in representative.
Medden added that Kim John Bok could eventually convey the command of the KNA officer in the rank of senior colonel or Major General. Among other higher officers found by Ukraine are Colonel-General Rich Chan Kh, Deputy Chief of General Staff, Head of the Main Intelligence Administration, and Major General Sin Kum Chhol, Head of the Main Operational Management.
As the head of the main intelligence service of North Korea, since about 2022, Rius came under the sanctions of South Korea, which accused him of organizing large cyberattacks to steal technologies and foreign currency. Like Kim John Bok, Lee also accompanied the leader Kim Jong-in on an unusually large number of events this year, including the inspection of the Navy on the East Coast.