North Korean Special Forces: Elite Units and Unconventional Operations

North Korea’s special forces are one of the most secretive and dangerous branches of the Korean People’s Army. Trained to operate in extreme conditions, skilled in infiltration, sabotage, and psychological warfare — they are a central element of the regime’s asymmetric strategy.

1. Introduction

While the ground forces number over a million soldiers and the Strategic Rocket Forces draw global attention, it is the special forces that embody the true unpredictability and tactical flexibility of the DPRK.

Estimates suggest North Korea deploys:

• 60,000–120,000 commandos,
• divided into numerous infiltration, reconnaissance, and sabotage units.

They are trained to conduct operations deep behind enemy lines, often in brutal and unconventional ways.

2. Role of special forces in DPRK military strategy

Special forces are the backbone of North Korea’s asymmetric warfare doctrine, designed to exploit enemy weaknesses rather than rely on conventional military power.

Their key missions include:

1. Infiltration of South Korean territory

Methods include:

• crossing the land border,
• insertion via sea or air,
• using underground tunnels,
• disguising as civilians or defectors.

2. Sabotage operations

Targets may include:

• power plants and communications,
• military bases,
• command-and-control centers.

3. Assassinations and special actions

Historically used for:

• assassination attempts on South Korean leaders,
• penetration of military installations,
• disinformation operations.

4. Psychological warfare

Some units are tasked with:

• spreading panic,
• manipulating public sentiment,
• creating confusion and fear.

3. Historical development of North Korean special forces

1960s–1970s: founding and expansion

After the Korean War, the regime realized it could not defeat South Korea conventionally.
Special forces were created as an alternative offensive capability.

1980s: escalation of bold operations

Notable incidents:

• 1983 Rangoon bombing — attempt to kill the South Korean president; 21 deaths.
• 1987 Korean Air Flight 858 bombing — 115 killed.

1990s–2000s: specialization and diversification

Investment into:

• naval infiltration units,
• underwater operations,
• mountain warfare,
• urban and covert operations,
• early cyber capabilities.

Modern era

Special forces now play a central role in the strategy of “shock and paralyze”:

• rapid strikes,
• disruption of command structures,
• paralysis of society and government response.

4. Structure and types of special units

The main components are believed to include:

1. Reconnaissance and sabotage brigades

Tasked with:

• demolition,
• infiltration of cities,
• attacking infrastructure.

2. Naval infiltration units

Including:

• combat divers,
• coastal infiltration teams,
• crews of midget submarines.

3. Airborne special operations units

Capable of:

• parachute insertions,
• nighttime infiltration,
• missions deep behind enemy lines.

4. Special units within regular army divisions

Elite companies embedded within standard infantry formations.

5. Cyberwarfare units (e.g., Lazarus Group)

Functionally equivalent to special operations:

• cybertheft,
• hacking banks and crypto-exchanges,
• infrastructure attacks,
• generating funds for the regime.

5. Training and ideology

Intense military training

Commandos undergo:

• hand-to-hand combat,
• survival in extreme terrain,
• urban infiltration,
• underwater and mountain operations.

Fanatical indoctrination

Training includes:

• strict ideological education,
• cult of the Kim dynasty,
• anti–South Korean propaganda,
• readiness for suicide missions if required.

Ideology is considered just as important as physical preparation.

6. Equipment

Though often outdated, equipment is tailored to mobility and stealth:

• light assault weapons,
• communication systems,
• night-vision devices,
• explosives,
• infiltration boats and mini-submarines,
• specialized camouflage gear.

Their true strength lies not in equipment, but in:

• surprise,
• adaptability,
• willingness to carry out extreme missions.

7. Examples of special operations

Blue House raid (1968)

31 commandos attempted to assassinate the South Korean president.
Only one survived and was captured.

Maritime infiltration incidents (1990s–2000s)

Repeated attempts using mini-submarines and infiltration boats.

Terrorist operations

• Rangoon bombing (1983),
• Korean Air 858 bombing (1987).

Cyber operations (2010–present)

• Sony Pictures attack (2014),
• theft from international banks,
• cryptocurrency heists worth billions of dollars.

8. Importance in a potential future conflict

In the event of war, special forces would be:

• the first wave of attack,
• a tool to paralyze command systems,
• a direct threat to civilians,
• a destabilizing force across cities and infrastructure.

Their tasks would include:

• targeting South Korean infrastructure,
• causing chaos in population centers,
• conducting terror attacks,
• infiltrating government institutions.

9. Conclusion

North Korea’s special forces are:

• the regime’s most flexible and unpredictable weapon,
• the cornerstone of asymmetric strategy,
• a tool of sabotage, infiltration, terror, and cyberwarfare.

Their existence makes the DPRK one of the most volatile and dangerous actors in East Asia.

➡️ Related article: North Korea’s state structure: organization and hierarchy