Are you worried about North Korea's role in the war in Ukraine?

Yes, I am worried.

If the reports are true, North Korea already has 1,500 soldiers in Russia for training, and 8,500 more are expected to follow.

We don’t know yet how well these troops will perform in battle, but it’s likely they won’t be any worse than the Russian soldiers currently fighting. This would give Russia an extra infantry division, which is a big help for their commanders.

Some reports say a few North Korean soldiers have already surrendered to Ukrainian forces, but we shouldn’t put too much importance on this. Russian troops have been surrendering since the start of the war, but most are still fighting.

The biggest mistake we can make is to underestimate this threat or make fun of these soldiers. I’ve seen people joking about the North Koreans on social media and on Quora, but this is no laughing matter.

The Ukrainian military leadership is taking this seriously. Ten thousand soldiers from any country is a major concern, especially with the current situation on the frontline.