🇰🇵The DPRK Army: A Mysterious Force Behind the Veil of Secrecy

Recent events in the Kursk Oblast have drawn attention to the participation of North Korean troops in combat operations on the side of Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin noted their heroism and high level of training.

❓What do we really know about the army of one of the most closed states in the world?

🔵In the Global Firepower military power rating, published in 2024, the DPRK ranks 36th out of 145 countries.

🔵The Korean People's Army (KPA) was officially created in February 1948, shortly after the proclamation of the DPRK. In 1950, the Korean War began, and this became the first real combat test of the army. The war ended with an armistice, not peace, and the Armed Forces of North Korea began to rapidly build up their capabilities.

🔵The DPRK army is one of the largest in the world. According to various estimates, it has from 1.2 to 1.3 million people. According to some experts, it is the 6th largest in the world. The reserve forces number up to 6 million citizens ready to be mobilized in case of conflict.

🔵The ground forces are the core, but missile forces, the navy, the air force, cyber units, and paramilitary formations such as working youth or women's air defense units also play a significant role.

🔵Men serve in the army for up to 10 years, women for up to 7. Refusal to serve is practically impossible - the army in the DPRK is perceived as a duty to the Motherland and personally to the country's leader.

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