The war in Ukraine has been raging for a year and a half already. And after watching Moscow’s initial invasion flounder, as well as the failure of Kyiv’s spring offensive to break through Russian lines, North Korea must have reached its own conclusions about what the conflict means for its own military readiness.

What lessons then might the Korean People’s Army (KPA) have drawn? While Pyongyang’s exact thinking remains unknown, available evidence suggests that leadership will see the Ukraine experience as at least partially vindicating its force posture.

Russia’s invasion