The Korean People's Army Special Operations Forces (KPASOF; Korean: 조선인민군 특수작전군; Hanja: 朝鮮人民軍 特殊作戰軍; Chosŏn-inmin'gun teugsujagjeongun) are the special forces of Korean People's Army. It performs military, political, and psychological operations.

Feb 2, 2023 · The North Korean special forces being sent are believed to be among the most elite units within the Korean People’s Army (KPA). These troops are highly trained in unconventional warfare, sabotage, and reconnaissance missions—skills that could significantly bolster Russian military operations in Ukraine.

The armed forces of North Korea, known collectively as the Korean People’s Army (KPA), is comprised of the 1) KPA Ground Forces, 2) KPA Navy, 3) KPA Air Force (includes air defense) and 4) KPA Strategic Forces (missile forces).

Oct 28, 2021 · North Korean special-operations forces, organized in commando or light infantry units, would conduct unconventional warfare to the rear or on the flanks, attacking supply lines,...

North Korea has dispatched 1,500 special forces troops to support Russia’s war against Ukraine, South Korea’s spy agency said in a statement Friday, a move that will likely put further strain...

Oct 27, 2021 · North Korean special-operations forces, organized in commando or light infantry units, would conduct unconventional warfare to the rear or on the flanks, attacking supply lines,...

North Korea is one of the world leaders in fielding Special Operations Forces (SOF). It is estimated that this force totals or exceeds 121,500 soldiers. They are organized into 22 light infantry type brigades and 7 independent light infantry battalions.

U.S. and South Korean military authorities estimate that around 60,000 of North Korea’s special operations troops, also known as the “Broom Unit” for their ability to “sweep” away enemy forces swiftly, are engaged in active special operations.

The XI (11th) Corps (camouflage names of the 465th Army or the 630th United Nations Corps), are a corps of the Korean People's Army and are the headquarters of all special forces. It is known that its headquarters are based in Tokchon.. The 17th Reconnaissance Brigade merged with the 124th Army and 283th Army [1] of the National Security Agency's Reconnaissance …

Jan 30, 2025 · North Korean special forces trained at a base southeast of Pyongyang before the dispatch of thousands of troops to Russia, NK Pro analysis of a new state TV documentary shows, a revelation that could help experts monitor preparations for additional deployments. State media originally said the Sept. 11 drills took place at a “training base […]

2 days ago · Strategic Blinders. When experts and governments dismiss Russian and North Korean forces with derogatory labels like “cannon fodder” or “meat,” it suggests that Western leadership has failed to internalize key lessons from Cold War–era military conflicts. Such terms portray their forces as stagnant and nonadaptive—and this undermines the strategic thinking …

Jan 18, 2024 · North Korea’s Special Forces, Explained: North Korea has a massive military. With 1.3 million soldiers serving on active duty, North Korea has one of the world’s largest armies.

Jan 25, 2018 · North Korea has one of the largest special operations forces (SOF) in the world with specially trained, elite soldiers numbering close to 200,000. Among these unique special operations forces today are two navy “sniper” brigades 1 subordinate to the Korean People’s Navy (KPN) with one brigade deployed with the East Sea Fleet and the other ...

Apr 2, 2021 · North Korea has likely the largest special-forces organization in the world, numbering two hundred thousand men—and women—trained in unconventional warfare. Pyongyang’s commandos are...

Jan 28, 2025 · Ukrainian special operations forces have given an insight into the brutal, near-suicidal tactics of the North Koreans they have faced in intense fighting in the Russian border region of Kursk.

Jan 31, 2025 · North Korea and Russia have not commented. On Friday, the Ukrainian special forces spokesman told the BBC he was only referring to areas in the Kursk region where his forces were fighting.

The Korean People's Army Special Operations Forces (KPASOF; Korean: 조선인민군 특수작전군; Hanja: 朝鮮人民軍 特殊作戰軍; Chosŏn-inmin'gun teugsujagjeongun) are the special forces of Korean People's Army. It performs military, political, and psychological operations.

Jan 27, 2025 · North Korean troops appear to have temporarily pulled back from the frontline in Russia after suffering heavy losses, a Ukrainian special forces commander has told Sky News. The commander, who ...

2 days ago · More than 11,000 North Korean soldiers, mostly special operations forces, deployed to Russia's Kursk region last November in the wake of Ukraine's shock invasion of Russian territory.. Later, once ...

Jun 4, 2024 · Explore the elite North Korean Special Forces' training, combat strategies, and global impact. Learn about their unique operations and political significance.

May 7, 2021 · North Korea has likely the largest special-forces organization in the world, numbering two hundred thousand men—and women—trained in unconventional warfare.

2 days ago · A North Korean soldier attempts suicide rather than be captured . On the same day, soldiers from an airborne unit captured another North Korean soldier, this time by chance and without initially realizing who they were taking prisoner. It all began around 5 a.m., when a North Korean assault struck their position.

5 days ago · North Korea's leader, Kim Jong Un — a staunch ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin ... the special forces colonel continued. Rather than the many-decades-old, if notorious, AK-47, North ...

Jan 28, 2021 · North Korea has likely the largest special-forces organization in the world, numbering two hundred thousand men—and women—trained in unconventional warfare. Pyongyang’s commandos are...

4 days ago · This group was later joined by another 10,000 or so of their comrades (some of whom are also believed to be from North Korean special forces units). They were transported nearly 7,000 kilometres ...

Aug 31, 2023 · In addition to its SOF, North Korea has one of the world’s largest armies, consisting of roughly 1.3 million soldiers. While Pyongyang relies heavily on its large special forces organization, the country lacks a sophisticated arsenal of weaponry.

2 days ago · Capturing a North Korean prisoner had long been an objective for the Ukrainian special forces, even as the North Koreans seemed willing to kill themselves or a wounded comrade to elude capture.

17 hours ago · The diary, which was found on 21 December and has been authenticated by experts, was written by a young soldier who died in a firefight alongside two compatriots, Ukraine’s special forces said ...

2 days ago · Capturing a North Korean prisoner had long been an objective for the Ukrainian special forces, even as the North Koreans seemed willing to kill themselves or a wounded comrade to elude capture.

Sep 21, 2021 · North Korea has likely the largest special-forces organization in the world, numbering two hundred thousand men—and women—trained in unconventional warfare. Pyongyang’s commandos are...