Ukraine reveals notebook of deceased North Korean soldier
On December 26, Ukrainian forces unveiled a document presumed to have been written by a North Korean soldier killed in the Kursk region of Russia, detailing a survival strategy against drones. Analysts suggest this may indicate attempts by North Korean troops to adapt amid their vulnerability to drone attacks on the battlefield.
Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces shared images on social media, claiming they depicted North Korean tactics to shoot down drones. The handwritten notes, found in the notebook of a deceased North Korean soldier, include sketches and operational concepts. Previously, Ukrainian forces had disclosed another page from the same notebook, which contained a letter celebrating a comrade’s birthday.
The sketch outlines a tactic involving three soldiers working in unison. One soldier, stationed approximately seven meters from the drone, serves as bait to attract the unmanned aerial vehicle. When the drone hovers in place to prepare for an attack, the other two soldiers, positioned 10 to 12 meters away, fire simultaneously to neutralize it.
The notes also describe a survival method in artillery zones: soldiers are instructed to take cover in craters left by prior shelling, based on the belief that artillery rarely strikes the same location twice. Once safe, they are advised to charge forward.
Ukraine’s military acknowledged uncertainty over whether these tactics originated from North Korean military doctrine or Russian training but highlighted the high-risk “living bait” approach as a key element.
Western military officials estimate that North Korea has deployed 11,000 troops to support Russia in the Kursk region. However, the open terrain in this area has reportedly left North Korean soldiers highly exposed to Ukrainian drone strikes. Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence Directorate (GUR) has pointed to the lack of combat experience among North Korean forces, asserting that their presence has had negligible impact on the battlefield.
GUR further criticized the North Korean military’s reliance on outdated tactics, describing them as “primitive and reminiscent of World War II-era strategies.” Ukrainian media outlets report that despite suffering heavy casualties, North Korean forces continue preparing infantry assaults with minimal adjustments to their tactics.
Meanwhile, pro-Russian Telegram channel “Parafax” released eight videos showing injured North Korean soldiers receiving treatment at a Moscow military hospital. The footage depicts Asian men, presumed to be North Korean soldiers, wearing hospital gowns and relaxing in wards, watching TV or browsing the internet. According to eyewitness accounts shared on the channel, the wounded soldiers appear cheerful, indulging in large meals and entertainment.
This portrayal contrasts sharply with previous reports from Ukraine highlighting significant casualties among North Korean troops.
BY MOOYOUNG LEE [lee.mooyoung@koreadaily.com]
