"Hey, you bastard"... Low-quality Radio Communications by North Korean Soldiers Intercepted by Ukraine - Analysis by 'Storm Corps' Defector

On November 10, the Ukrainian Defense Intelligence Service (GUR) released intercepted radio communications from North Korean troops deployed in Russia on its official YouTube channel. The conversations suggest that North Korean forces operate in dispersed, small tactical units. A North Korean defector who used to serve in the elite 'Storm Corps' said that based on the unprofessional methods of communication and the use of profanity, these soldiers are likely to be young and inexperienced. (By KANG Ji-won)

◆ 'Park Eagle', 'Seal'…Call Signs Show Lack of Professionalism

In the audio released by GUR, unusual call signs like 'Park Eagle', 'Seal', and 'Earth' appear, which differ from North Korea's standard military call sign system. Let's look at the transcript of the communications:

"Park Eagle, Park Eagle. This is Earth Five. Over"

"Earth, Earth. This is Park Eagle. Signal strength"

"Park Eagle, I'm not running, I'm flying. Wait"

"Lion Two, hey, you bastard. Lion, Lion. This is Seal. Over"

"Lion Two, Lion Two. This is Seal. Over"

"Seal Two, Seal One. This is Seal. Over"

From the intercepted radio content, it appears that seven teams - "Park Eagle, Earth Five, Earth, Lion Two, Seal One, Seal Two, Seal" - are communicating via radio, and the commander using profanity appears to be "Seal."

In the audio, “dwaegi” sounds like “pig” in Korean, but “earth,” which has similar sounds, is often used as a call sign in the North Korean military.

Kim, a defector from North Korea's elite 'Storm Corps,' said, “'Storm Corps' are operated in groups of 12 members, each group has a second lieutenant rank leader and a specialized communications officer. Generally, each group uses predetermined call sighs, and names such as 'Pak Eagle' and 'Seal' are not used in the 'Storm Corps' and are unprofessional.”

◆ Lack of Training and Command Structure; Soldiers in their Early 20s?

The intercepted conversations revealed the use of informal expressions like "I'm not running, I'm flying" and profanity like "hey, you bastard." Kim, a North Korean defector, explained that "In the North Korean military, radio communications are primarily conducted via shortwave and rarely include profanity."

In his opinion, this style of communication reflects inadequate training and an inappropriate command structure.

Also, Kim says "It is estimated that these North Korean troops are conducting their operations in small units of 5-7 men rather than traditional platoon or company units. They probably have short-wave radios in small units for command transmission.” He also noted "Given the use of profanity in radio communications, these soldiers are likely in their early 20s and operating under an incomplete command structure.”

Kim served in the Storm Corps' 58th Brigade stationed in Singyeri, Sariwon, North Hwanghae Province from 1998 to 2006, where he directly experienced North Korean military communication structures and command systems.