Special Forces of the DPRK - an effective and powerful military force
Special Forces of the DPRK, according to experts, are among the most combat-ready special forces in the world. This recognition was made possible by reforming the army, which was held in the early 90-s of the last century. It is an effective force for conducting special operations, both by traditional methods and with the help of special events. Military experts claim that the Korean special forces are the largest in the world. Despite this, there are no exact data on the number of special forces in a given country; according to rough estimates, its number is about 88-121 thousand people.
History North Korean special forces began in the 60-ies, so the first fighters, who formed the basis of special forces, were not yet available modern training systems. Despite this, the selection in the special forces was very tough, and the training system was even more severe. For several months, real professionals were made from ordinary military men. After the training course, the newly-formed special forces were assigned a combat mission and transported to the rear of the enemy. And what could happen during the execution of operations, no one knew.
Currently, there is not a lot of information about the special forces of the DPRK. Data on them can be found in publications of foreign periodicals, partly information can be gathered from the stories of eyewitnesses who managed to see the work of the fighters of the special detachments of one of the most closed countries in the world.
Although it may seem strange, but Special Forces of the DPRK, according to experts, to this day continues to conduct raids on the territory of South Korea. And all because the possibility of starting a war between these two states is still possible. For the most part, the activities of special divisions are associated with sabotage and reconnaissance operations, as well as with the cover of agents, which are shipped to the territory of South Korea. The country's leadership is well aware that in the difficult socio-economic and political conditions that led to the technical lag of the armed forces, it is the special forces that will be responsible for national security.
If we take into account the fact that the total service life in the army of North Korea is 5-8 years, the special forces soldiers during this time are laid out in full. In total, according to available information, the DPRK Special Forces include 12 infantry brigades, 10 brigade snipers, 17 intelligence battalions and 1 airborne battalion. Such a number of military formations and subunits has affected the total number of which we spoke above.
The military doctrine of North Korea suggests that the special forces are designed to carry out sabotage and reconnaissance operations behind enemy lines, as well as to support the agents. In the event of the beginning of a military conflict, the fighters of the Special Forces must, by all means and means, open the “second front” in the enemy's rear, using non-traditional methods and methods of warfare (guerrilla warfare). And since the special forces have the appropriate skills, they are supposed to be used to perform five basic tasks: creating a "second front" in South Korea, which can provide superiority in strategic terms, rendering opposition to South Korean and American special forces in their own rear, ensuring security protection inside the country and fighting the opposition.
In order to increase the efficiency of the assigned tasks, the special forces soldiers undergo special training, which differs greatly from how ordinary soldiers of the DPRK armed forces are trained.
All special forces are divided into three categories by the Ministry of Popular Armed Forces. These are reconnaissance units, light infantry and sniper units. Special Forces intelligence officers should carry out activities for obtaining intelligence information. Light infantry fighters are obliged to interact with companies and battalions during combat operations, and the goals can be not only military, but also economic and political. Sniper special forces are also required to interact with military units, only at the level of groups or individual teams.
Thus, in the event of the start of hostilities, all the special forces groups sent to the enemy’s rear will perform almost identical tasks, in particular, organizing and carrying out sabotage on the highways — destroying roads, tunnels, bridges and airfields, communication centers, warehouses and storages, destroying communications, liquidation of the military personnel and the technical personnel of the opponent who are on strategically important objects.
Each special forces unit has a certain number of combat groups. The first in the battle is a group of intelligence and stripping. Its tasks include the search and elimination of possible obstacles on the route of promotion of the main units. In addition, they, in case of need, also carry out attacking actions, in order to provide cover for the remaining groups.
While the attacking group attacks an enemy object, the destruction team is completely eliminating it. The main difference between these two groups is that the destruction team works exclusively with explosives to solve the set tasks. The data collection team is tasked with capturing prisoners and conducting their interrogation. In addition, the fighters of this group collect all possible documents for a given object. The defense team with the help of snipers provides support and protection to other groups. There is also a barrier group that distracts the enemy from the groups performing combat missions, and also carries out activities aimed at preventing the arrival of enemy reinforcements in the area of the special operation. This group also hinders the prosecution of groups of their fellow soldiers during the retreat.
During operations, combat groups use M-16 rifles, AK-47 assault rifles, AT-3 and RPG-7 grenade launchers, anti-personnel mines, flamethrowers, millimeters 60 mortars and devices to forcefully stop military equipment.
The North Korean government is convinced that guerrilla warfare is a necessary component of warfare. The creation of partisan detachments of special forces should provide support for "regular" partisan formations. In addition, commandos must conduct in-depth reconnaissance and conduct special operations to support the main forces.
Thus, it was the constant struggle with South Korea that caused the special forces of the DPRK to learn how to perform the assigned tasks and carry out operations using non-traditional methods and techniques. And the experience that has been accumulated during the 1950-1953 period (the years of the Korean War) allows the special forces fighters to carry out military operations even in the most unfavorable conditions to this day and at the same time successfully carry out the tasks assigned to them. And, perhaps, the most important distinctive feature of the Korean Special Forces is the ability to self-destruct, that is, the fighters are able to sacrifice their lives if the execution of the task or withdrawal is impossible. The commandos of North Korea firmly believe that all their actions are carried out in the interests of the people and the party.
Materials used:
http://bratishka.ru/archiv/2003/7/2003_7_6.php
http://tchest.org/special_forces/448-gruppy-specnaza-kndr.html
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