### North Korean Troops in Russia: A Double-Edged Sword for Pyongyang

North Korea’s deployment of thousands of troops to join Russia’s conflict in Ukraine could boost its ties with Moscow but also bring unintended consequences. Analysts suggest that exposure to life outside their isolated homeland might spark dangerous new ideas among returning soldiers.

Western intelligence indicates that more than 10,000 North Korean troops have already been sent to the Kursk region in Russia to help oppose Ukraine’s military efforts. Although they are heading into a conflict zone, these soldiers will witness relatively prosperous Russian cities and towns during their journey from Asia to Europe. This brief encounter with a different standard of living could be eye-opening for them.

"Most of these soldiers are simple farm boys or junior officers who have never left North Korea before. Their exposure to even the rural areas of Russia will make them realize their own country's dire poverty and isolation," explained Andrei Lankov, a professor of history and international relations at Kookmin University in Seoul.

Upon their return, these soldiers may carry ideas that challenge the regime’s narrative, which paints North Korea as a thriving, happy nation. However, expressing such thoughts openly remains perilous. The regime’s secret police are notorious for punishing any form of dissent harshly.

Experts believe that while the impact of these foreign experiences may not be immediately obvious, it could sow seeds of doubt that grow over time. "They won’t voice these ideas due to fear of severe punishment, but they will definitely start questioning the reality they’ve been taught," Lankov added. "In the long term, this could become politically significant."

North Korea has long worked to insulate its population from any foreign influence, intensifying this effort in recent years. The regime enforces strict penalties for possession of foreign media and seeks to curb any cultural contamination through clothing and hairstyles. However, the soldiers deployed to Russia will not be entirely shielded from outside influences.

Dan Pinkston, a professor at Troy University's Seoul campus, noted, "There were reports of North Korean troops being airlifted to avoid seeing Russian towns during their journey by train. But entirely isolating them in Russia will be challenging."

Historically, North Koreans who worked overseas in places like Russia and China have been subjected to re-education before being allowed back into society. This approach is likely to be applied to troops returning from Ukraine as well. "Those soldiers will be closely monitored upon their return to ensure they do not disseminate any 'dangerous ideas,'" Lankov concluded.

The elite within the North Korean military will not be excluded from this experience. Rank-and-file soldiers today could ascend to higher ranks tomorrow, carrying with them quietly harbored doubts about their nation’s condition compared to the outside world. Over time, such doubts could collectively alter the fabric of North Korean society.