‘3-star general Kim Yong Bok’: The mystery man sent by North Korea to lead its troops in Russia

North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un has sent his close ally Kim Yong Bok, the deputy chief of Army General Staff, to lead its troops in Russia, according to a report.

Colonel General Kim Yong Bok was a mystery figure even in North Korea until Pyongyang made him the decision-maker for its roughly 11,000 troops in Russia, according to The Wall Street Journal. His job is to oversee that the North Korean troops integrate with Russians, gain combat experience and establish a framework for future deployments.

However, he is very unlikely to participate in combat operations and his presence in Russia signals Pyongyang’s interest in assisting Moscow over the next year.

Colonel Kim’s earlier mission on the Korean Peninsula was a secret one and he was said to be commanding a special forces unit of some 200 000 soldiers. He was listed as the third most prominent figure in the Korean People’s Army during Russian leader Vladimir Putin’s visit to Pyongyang in June. He emerged from the shadows after Putin’s visit, elevating to one of the top military figures.

He was seen alongside Kim Jong Un at a ceremony to honour military officials in 2020 but largely disappeared from public view until recently. It is expected that his successful work in Russia could propel him further up the ranks.

Kim Yong Bok’s appointment also comes as North Korea considers deploying up to 100,000 troops to aid Russia in its war against Ukraine. Though not imminent, the deployment is said to happen in phases with soldiers rotating over time rather than being sent in a single wave.

Surprisingly, North Korea’s M1989 Koksan howitzer has also been spotted in Russia. The weapon was seen transported by rail though the exact location and date of the photographs remain unverified. However, there is little doubt that it is the howitzer, thanks to the distinctive five-wheel tracked chassis of the weapon. The 170mm self-propelled howitzer is capable of firing up to 60 kilometres with rocket-assisted rounds.