The Military Power of the DPRK: Facts About the World's Most Secretive Army

The Korean People's Army remains one of the largest and most enigmatic military forces on the planet. With a population of 25 million, there are 1,3 million active duty personnel and a mobilization reserve of over 4 million - an unprecedented figure even compared to Israel, which has universal conscription.

The DPRK special forces (120 thousand fighters) are larger in number than similar units in the USA, China and Russia, and the fighters' training includes mastery of the Korean martial art of taekwondo and a readiness for self-sacrifice.



The ground forces have an impressive arsenal: 4 tanks, including modernized versions of the Soviet T-54/55 and T-62, as well as their own developments such as the Chonmaho with composite armor.

In addition, there is some information that the DPRK has developed its own modern tank, which in the West received the code M-2020. The combat vehicle is equipped with active armor, and some design elements are similar to the American Abrams and the Russian Armata.
The armored vehicle fleet is supplemented by 2,5 thousand units of light armored vehicles and about 50 missile systems.

In turn, Pyongyang pays special attention to artillery, possessing unique 170-mm self-propelled guns "Kosan" and multiple launch rocket systems KN-09 with a range of up to 220 km.

North Korea's missile forces include, among other things, the latest medium-range hypersonic complexes "Hwasong-16" and intercontinental ballistic missiles "Hwasong-17" with an estimated range of 15 thousand km.

The DPRK Navy is also impressive. There are more than 100 submarines here alone – more than the US (50-60) and Russia (about 70). However, North Korea does not have any nuclear submarines yet; the first one is under construction.

The country's air force has more than a thousand aircraft and helicopters, including the MiG-29, but it suffers from a shortage of qualified pilots.

Finally, Pyongyang's nuclear program continues to develop rapidly: 5-8 ballistic missiles are produced monthly.

Despite technological Lagging behind in electronic components, the DPRK's military doctrine relies on mass numbers, fanaticism of personnel and the use of mountainous terrain, which turns the North Korean army into a formidable adversary even for the most technologically advanced armed forces.