Today in Focus A North Korean defector on why Kim Jong Un has sent troops to Ukraine
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Sep 2, 2025 Jean Lee, a North Korea expert and former Pyongyang correspondent, joins former soldier Hyunseung Lee, who defected in 2014, to unpack North Korea's military involvement in Ukraine. They discuss Kim Jong-un's ambitious geopolitical maneuvers and the troubling alliance with Russia. Hyunseung shares gripping tales of life in the North Korean military, revealing outdated technology and harsh training. Their insights illuminate the severe consequences of a regime that exploits its soldiers, while raising alarms about regional stability and the implications of this dangerous alliance.
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Life As A Young Conscript
- Hyunseung Lee described being conscripted at 17 and serving in harsh conditions with poor food and minimal hygiene.
- He recalled political indoctrination, farming duties, weekly bathing, and gathering firewood as daily realities.
Three-Year Shift Toward Russia
- Jean Lee traced the buildup from DPRK recognition of Donetsk/Luhansk to deeper military ties with Russia over three years.
- She highlighted weapons displays and high-level visits as signalling an operational and political rapprochement.
From Parades To A Mutual-Help Pact
- High-level summits between Kim and Putin produced mutual displays and a mutual defence treaty that deepened bilateral cooperation.
- Jean Lee warned the agreement includes mutual assistance clauses that materially bind the two states.