The Ukrainian government has named three North Korean generals it claims are accompanying thousands of Korean People’s Army soldiers sent to Russia to support Moscow in the war against Ukraine.
In a statement to the UN Security Council on Wednesday, the Ukrainian delegation reported that the three generals were among at least 500 North Korean officers sent to Russia.
According to the statement, the North Korean troops are expected to be organized into at least five units of 2,000–3,000 soldiers each and integrated with Russian troops to obscure their presence.
Russia did not deny the allegations.
At the same Security Council meeting, Russian envoy Vassily Nebenzia stated that Russia’s military cooperation with North Korea does not violate international law and that Moscow has the right to seek assistance from its partners, just as Ukraine does.
Ukraine reported that the top general overseeing special forces, including the XI Corps—also known as the Storm Corps—which South Korean intelligence indicated had been sent to Russia, is Colonel General Kim Yong Bok.
Michael Madden, an expert on the North Korean leadership at the US-based Stimson Center, said Kim’s role appears to be broader, as he commands a unit that includes the XI Corps and light infantry troops and is assigned to special missions for North Korea’s main spy agency.
Kim has attended seven events this year, including special forces exercises with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
“This is a major and almost unprecedented mission for the Korean People’s Army,” Madden said, adding that he believes the general is in Russia as Kim Jong Un’s representative.
Madden noted that Kim Yong Bok may eventually hand over command to an officer of senior colonel or major general rank.
Other senior officers identified by Ukraine include Colonel General Ri Chang Ho, deputy chief of the General Staff and head of the General Reconnaissance Bureau, and Major General Sin Kum Cheol, head of the Main Operations Directorate.
Ri, who has led North Korea’s main intelligence agency since around 2022, was previously sanctioned by South Korea.
Like Kim Yong Bok, Ri has accompanied Kim Jong Un to numerous events this year, including an inspection of a naval base on North Korea’s east coast.
Madden added that Sin’s career trajectory is unclear, but given his one-star rank, he is likely to take command of North Korean troops in Russia after Kim Yong Bok and Ri Chang Ho depart.
