North Korea lands: Putin admits weakness
North Korea is already deeply involved in the Russian conflict against Ukraine, having supplied millions of shells and 1,600 ballistic missiles dropped on Ukrainian soil, but there is a risk of further escalation with the arrival of Kim Jong Un's elite troops.
According to geopolitical analysts, the arrival of North Korean troops on Russian soil is a fact.
It's therefore the 4th army in the world that will be at Putin's service. Little is known about the real capacity of the North Korean army because of the opacity of the regime, but nevertheless some elements are confirmed.
Military service lasts 10 years for men and 8 years for women, resulting in a third of the population of 26 million inhabitants having been involved in the army and the handling of weapons in one way or another.
According to the latest estimates of the Institute for the Study of War, Pyongyang's army consists of 1 million 200 thousand soldiers and North Korean troops could reach Ukraine in 2 weeks.
(MH with AmBar/Source: ISW/Photo: DPA/YONHAPNEWS AGENCY)