Jean McKenzie

In propaganda videos, soldiers from North Korea's elite special forces are seen wading through frozen rivers topless, smashing blocks of ice with their bare hands. The regime showcases them as the toughest of the tough. But according to Hanul, who served as a frontline soldier in the demilitarized zone, that's not the reality.

In propaganda videos, soldiers from North Korea's elite special forces are seen wading through frozen rivers topless, smashing blocks of ice with their bare hands. The regime showcases them as the toughest of the tough. But according to Hanul, who served as a frontline soldier in the demilitarized zone, that's not the reality.

I've come to meet another defector, Song Hyun, who escaped fairly recently, in 2019. He says that although the special forces do get some more advanced training, they're not front-line soldiers.

I've come to meet another defector, Song Hyun, who escaped fairly recently, in 2019. He says that although the special forces do get some more advanced training, they're not front-line soldiers.

How well do you think they're going to be able to adapt to fighting a war in Russia and Ukraine?

How well do you think they're going to be able to adapt to fighting a war in Russia and Ukraine?

While it's unlikely these troops will turn the tide of this war, they give Vladimir Putin much-needed manpower. And all the North Koreans I've spoken to say it would be a mistake to dismiss them as just cannon fodder. Their loyalty to Kim Jong-un will count for a lot. I asked Hanul what this means for Ukrainian and South Korean hopes that many of them will simply defect.

While it's unlikely these troops will turn the tide of this war, they give Vladimir Putin much-needed manpower. And all the North Koreans I've spoken to say it would be a mistake to dismiss them as just cannon fodder. Their loyalty to Kim Jong-un will count for a lot. I asked Hanul what this means for Ukrainian and South Korean hopes that many of them will simply defect.

Because of this strict discipline, Son Heung thinks it's unlikely many soldiers will even be captured.

Because of this strict discipline, Son Heung thinks it's unlikely many soldiers will even be captured.

But despite the risk, a group of former North Korean soldiers is hoping to persuade some to surrender. This is a message recorded by the defector Lee Hyun-seung, who used to train special forces. Comrades, we've been deceived, he says. There is a new path ahead. Lee hopes this message can be played to the men on the front line.

But despite the risk, a group of former North Korean soldiers is hoping to persuade some to surrender. This is a message recorded by the defector Lee Hyun-seung, who used to train special forces. Comrades, we've been deceived, he says. There is a new path ahead. Lee hopes this message can be played to the men on the front line.

So talking about 10,000 soldiers defecting, that's very optimistic.

So talking about 10,000 soldiers defecting, that's very optimistic.

In a moment, a protest erupts into a street party. Rejoicing the downfall of a president many have long despised. They'd accused him of being authoritarian, of eroding their democracy. But no one could have guessed what he had planned. When Mr Yoon stole from the playbook of South Korea's past military dictators, dispatching troops to storm the parliament, he committed his final unforgivable act.

In a moment, a protest erupts into a street party. Rejoicing the downfall of a president many have long despised. They'd accused him of being authoritarian, of eroding their democracy. But no one could have guessed what he had planned. When Mr Yoon stole from the playbook of South Korea's past military dictators, dispatching troops to storm the parliament, he committed his final unforgivable act.

The biting temperatures would have been enough to force many indoors. But armed with glow sticks and hot packs, they descended here for the 11th day in a row. Young women leading the charge.

The biting temperatures would have been enough to force many indoors. But armed with glow sticks and hot packs, they descended here for the 11th day in a row. Young women leading the charge.

As the vote to impeach Mr. Yoon got underway, a solemn warning from Parliament's speaker. The weight of your ballot is heavy today. It carries the weight of history, the weight of democracy. Enough MPs heeded his words. The motion passed by just four votes. This was the biggest test South Korea's young democracy has faced. And it's passed. Those on the streets cried in relief. I am so emotional.

As the vote to impeach Mr. Yoon got underway, a solemn warning from Parliament's speaker. The weight of your ballot is heavy today. It carries the weight of history, the weight of democracy. Enough MPs heeded his words. The motion passed by just four votes. This was the biggest test South Korea's young democracy has faced. And it's passed. Those on the streets cried in relief. I am so emotional.