Additional Coverage:
- A former soldier in North Korea’s army says he was restricted to firing 3 bullets a year (newsbreak.com)
A North Korean defector, Hyunseung Lee, now working as a consultant in Washington, D.C., has offered a glimpse into the realities of serving in the North Korean military. Lee, who escaped in 2014, trained soldiers in the elite Storm Corps, the unit believed to be fighting in Ukraine.
During his service under Kim Jong Il, Lee experienced harsh conditions, including limited food, a lack of basic amenities like showers, and even shared underwear. Soldiers had to improvise toilet paper, often using leaves or discarded leaflets. Pay was meager, forcing soldiers to engage in illegal private businesses to survive.
Lee described outdated equipment, often dating back to World War II. Training was minimal, particularly weapons training, due to a scarcity of ammunition. He recalled firing only three bullets during his first year of service.
Despite believing in North Korea’s military might, Lee now recognizes the limitations of their training and resources. He described the Storm Corps, composed of taller and stronger soldiers, as specializing in foreign operations like airborne missions and sniping. However, their training was often unrealistic, with airborne troops practicing jumps from a model due to a lack of fuel and aircraft.
Lee believes the Storm Corps’ training is irrelevant to modern warfare. While they may be learning new drone techniques in Ukraine, communication barriers and exploitation by Russian soldiers are likely challenges. He questioned their survival, stating their primary goal would be to return home alive.