Exclusive: Documents found on the body of a North Korean soldier in Kursk Oblast region (2)
The image (left) shows presumed North Korean soldiers in Russia. The image (right) shows the document found on the body of a North Korean soldier killed in Kurst Oblast. Document source | The Ukrainian Special Forces
HRF’s Korea Desk has been in regular communication with members of the Ukrainian special forces operating in the Kursk Oblast region since December 20. We have been assisting with the analysis of military documents recovered from North Korean soldiers engaged in combat, as well as providing advice in analyzing North Korean PSYOPs.
On January 8, we obtained two notable documents found on the body of a North Korean army officer killed in Kursk Oblast: 1) Day Mission Performance Order (일별 임무 수행 질서), and 2) Procedure for Task Implementation (진행할 사업 순차).
Like the documents we’ve recently obtained, which detail North Korean soldiers’ experiences fighting Ukrainian troops for Russia and the lessons learned on the battlefield, these documents also appear to have been prepared by North Korean troops and issued for their use.
The Day Mission Performance Order outlines specific military actions in summary notes that resemble a daily schedule, such as when to move artillery to the front line, when to deploy reconnaissance and assault groups, and the timing of full-scale attacks for the morning and afternoon of each day from Day 2 through Day 8.
The other document, Procedure for Task Implementation, is more comprehensive and articulated, providing instructions on how soldiers should conduct themselves under various combat conditions. For example, one line advises, “Strictly abide by the strike timing and assigned path,” and warns, “Do not interfere with other groups’ actions, and prohibit wireless communication,” likely intended to prevent potential wiretapping and location detection by Ukrainian forces. Another notable line instructs that the assault should continue even if there are injured soldiers: “During the battle, the wounded shall be handled independently, concealed as much as possible without aid, and the primary unit shall continue to complete its mission.”
The Procedure for Task Implementation document also mentions the effective use of artillery fire support and instructs soldiers to request it only under certain conditions: “During the course of the battle, if the area where the enemy in large numbers is observed, report correctly and receive artillery fire support. Do not ask for artillery fire if the enemy appears to be in small numbers.”
One line instructs soldiers on the importance of gathering intelligence and destroying Ukrainian military assets in the rear before initiating the attack: “Before the commencement of the attack, conduct reconnaissance and destroy the enemy drones, artillery, and tanks deep in their rear.” The word “infiltration” is reminiscent of North Korean special forces, known as the Storm Corps. Before deploying to Russia, these troops are known to have been trained particularly in urban warfare, infiltration, and assassinations behind enemy lines to destabilize and destroy them from within.
The original documents and full translations are provided below.
- Day Mission Performance Order
- Procedure for Task Implementation
1. Day Mission Performance Order
Day 2
Morning:
• 7th Baguicha Mobile Organization (Director of Training).
• Russia Command (Koronev) Cooperation.
Afternoon:
• Battalion commander, political commissar planning deliberations.
Day 3
Morning:
•Two artillery units of each battalion go to the front.
• Each battalion trains the anti-armor and defense unit (Heavy weapon ammunition training at the Defense Command Shooting Range).
• Seven Baguicha advances.
Afternoon:
• Each battalion raid unit, two platoons move to the front (Battalion commander, Operations unit).
• The reconnaissance company deployment.
• Deployment of the rear department of each battalion.
Day 4
Morning:
• Two artillery units from each battalion move to the front (Including the battalion command unit).
• The brigade command unit moves.
Afternoon:
• Each battalion raid unit, two platoons advance.
• 60mm artillery fire. Strike progress (evening).
• Reconnaissance and strike operations units of each battalion infiltrate deep into the rear of the enemy.
Day 5
Morning:
• Each battalion raid unit, two platoons move to the front.
• 60mm artillery fire strike progress (dawn).
Afternoon:
• Each battalion attack unit, two platoons move.
• 60mm artillery fire strike progress (evening).
• Each battalion reconnaissance and raid unit strikes the enemy targets.
• Each battalion raid unit, two platoons, No.1 unit move to the front (evening).
Day 6
Morning:
• Launch of a full-scale offensive operation (dawn).
• Raid units of each battalion, two platoons.
• Full-scale attack operation, strike targets (dawn).
• Each battalion, 1 supporting platoon, No.1 unit taking the trench.
Afternoon:
• Raid unit of each battalion, two platoons, No.1 unit takes the trenches.
• Each battalion’s raid unit, two platoons, until 14:00.
• Completion of the day mission.
• Each battalion raid unit, two platoons, starts the 2nd day mission.
• Anti-armor defense of each battalion advances and arranges the configuration of anti-armor defense.
• Each battalion artillery fire strike unit moves, is deployed, and strikes (evening).
Day 7
Morning:
• Two supporting platoons of each battalion advance.
• 60mm artillery fire strike progress (dawn).
• The raid unit of each battalion, two platoons enter the 2nd day mission (Dawn between 4:00-6:00 am).
• Each battalion’s anti-armor defense unit takes defense positions.
Afternoon:
• 14:00: Completion of the 2nd day mission and commencement of the 3rd day mission.
• Each battalion’s anti-armor defense unit takes defense positions.
Day 8
Morning:
• Each battalion artillery fire.
• Strike progress (dawn).
• Complete the 3rd day mission.
• Each battalion, supporting platoon, battlefield search, and a radio report.
Afternoon:
• Each battalion raid unit withdraws.
• Each battalion’s anti-armor defense unit withdraws.
• Each battalion artillery strike unit withdraws.
• Each battalion supporting and reserve platoon conducts battlefield search and supports units’ withdrawal.
2. Procedure for Task Implementation
• Meticulously plan the movement and support preparations.
• Prepare the artillery well during the movement.
• Ensure maximum covertness to eliminate personnel losses.
• Ensure maximum concealment and creativity when taking attack trenches.
• Strictly abide by the strike timing and assigned path (Do not interfere with other groups’ actions, and prohibit wireless communication). Deal with the partial circumstances on your own.
• Set the procedures of the strike groups entering the battle and follow them unconditionally.
• Ensure that no one shoots an enemy (reconnaissance) drone if it appears at the point of entering combat.
• Ensure real-time command communications for strike timing.
• Get the circumstantial report on time and report it to the higher level immediately. Deal with the situations on your own.
• Effectively utilize artillery during the strike progress timing. During the course of the battle, if the area where the enemy in large numbers is observed, report correctly and receive artillery fire support. Do not ask for artillery fire if the enemy appears to be in small numbers.
• The day mission should be completed by 14:00-15:00.
• When completing the day mission, prepare a report on the status of personnel gathering, defense positions, and battlefield achievements.
• Before the commencement of the attack, conduct reconnaissance and destroy the enemy drones, artillery, and tanks deep in their rear.
• For combat, define the identification marks of friendly forces and enemy, and the direction of the strike.
• Thoroughly prepare the strike group (raid unit, units providing cover and search, and supporting unit).
• Ensure the arrival and deployment of the anti-armor defense group at the 2nd day mission line, as the 1st day mission is completed.
• Get the combat and supporting units close to the raid unit.
• During the battle, the wounded shall be handled independently, concealed as much as possible without aid, and the primary unit shall continue to complete its mission.
• If the enemy’s firepower is strong and it is impossible to advance, destroy it by maneuvering around the enemy using heavy weapons, including RPGs, grenades, and through the fire of snipers.
• During the period of urban battle, the control of the building shall be carried out sequentially or simultaneously by means of a simultaneous strike.
• If the overall missions are completed, withdrawal shall be carried out sequentially within 12 hours according to subsequent instructions.
Seongmin is the director of the Korea Desk at the Human Rights Foundation.
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