North Korea’s leadership is growing increasingly concerned about the psychological state and morale of its soldiers deployed to Russia, Daily NK has learned.
“Since late December, authorities have been alarmed by reports of deployed soldiers showing extreme fear of death, cultural adjustment difficulties, and signs of ideological instability,” a Pyongyang source told Daily NK recently.
The source revealed that December reports from Russia described soldiers as severely anxious and mentally distressed from their battlefield experiences, despite having undergone extensive ideological screening and physical preparation in North Korea.
Military officials on the ground in Russia have reported a stark contrast between the soldiers’ current psychological state and their mindset at initial deployment. Troops are grappling with battlefield trauma, constant fear of death, and uncertainty about their survival.
A particularly troubling issue emerging from these reports involves the soldiers’ interactions with Russian troops. Most North Korean servicemembers, having never been abroad, appear overwhelmed by these encounters with foreigners.
The reports indicate that North Korean soldiers, already conditioned by strict surveillance and control at home, are particularly intimidated by their more confident Russian counterparts. Their struggles with cultural differences and language barriers have led to concerning patterns of idealization of Russian allies.
“Front-line reports indicate that some Russian soldiers view their North Korean counterparts as fundamentally subhuman,” the source said. “The authorities believe this stems from the North Korean soldiers’ visibly defeated demeanor and inability to bridge the communication gap.”
The reports suggest mounting frustration within the Russian military toward North Korean soldiers, potentially jeopardizing military cooperation between the two countries.
“As casualties increase, the deployed soldiers are battling psychological distress and adaptation difficulties. Officials worry these factors could lead to soldiers betraying the Workers’ Party and state at any moment,” the source explained.
In response to these concerns about ideological wavering and potential desertion, North Korean authorities are considering deploying additional high-ranking officials to supplement those already stationed with the troops.
January 15, 2025 at 07:00AM
by DailyNK(North Korean Media)