Ukraine recognized Colonel General Kim Yong Bok, a senior common with command of particular forces troops, together with the XI Corps, also called the Assault Corps, which South Korean intelligence stated was despatched to Russia.
Michael Madden, a North Korea management knowledgeable on the U.S.-based Stimson Center, stated Kim’s position seems to be broader, as he runs the KPA’s Light Infantry Training Guidance Office comprising the XI Corps and light-weight infantry models deployed to KPA corps models and seconded on particular missions. for the Reconnaissance General Bureau, North Korea’s most important spy company.
Kim has appeared at seven occasions with North Korean chief Kim Jong Un this 12 months, together with particular forces drills.
“This is a big and virtually unprecedented deployment for the KPA,” stated Madden, who believes the overall is in Russia as Kim Jong Un’s consultant.
“As such, there are a variety of administrative and liaison duties, so Kim Jong Un despatched Kim Yong Bok as a proxy resolution maker till the presence of the KPA unit is totally strengthened.”
Kim Yong Bok might finally defer command to a subordinate KPA officer of the rank of senior colonel or main common, Madden added.
Other senior officers recognized by Ukraine embrace Colonel General Ri Chang Ho, Deputy Chief of the General Staff, Head of the General Reconnaissance Bureau, and Major General Sin Kum Cheol, Head of the Main Operational Directorate.
As head of North Korea’s most important intelligence service since round 2022, Ri has been sanctioned by South Korea, which stated he oversaw main cyber hacking efforts to steal expertise and overseas forex.
Like Kim Yong Bok, Ri has additionally accompanied chief Kim Jong Un to an unusually giant variety of occasions this 12 months, together with the inspection of a naval base on the east coast
Madden stated Sin’s profession observe document is unclear, however given his one-star rank, he’s prone to take command of North Korean troops in Russia as soon as Kim Yong Bok and Ri Chang Ho depart.
