How many North Korean soldiers might defect to the West if Putin deploys them to the front lines in Ukraine?
How many North Korean soldiers will defect once they have the opportunity?
We saw 18 people make a beeline to Ukraine a few days after arriving in the Kursk Oblast. The first batch wanted out badly. We should be expecting mass deserters and people surrendering in the hundreds.
Having no prior experience with war, these individuals are likely to be unprepared for the harsh realities of the battlefield. Communication challenges within Russian forces may further compound confusion and frustration. Given their lack of personal investment in the conflict and the absence of tangible incentives or fair compensation, North Korean soldiers may find little reason to remain engaged, potentially leading to increased instances of surrender or defection.