A Psychological Operations Strategy for the Korean Peninsula from Lessons Learned in Ukraine

Influencing Minds and Will: A Psychological Operations Strategy for the Korean Peninsula from Lessons Learned in Ukraine – In the shadow of Putin’s war in Ukraine, a new paradigm for psychological operations (PSYOP) is emerging – one that could reshape the security landscape on the Korean peninsula. As North Korea’s provocations escalate and its nuclear ambitions grow unchecked, it’s time for the ROK-U.S. alliance’s military forces to adopt a proactive PSYOP strategy specifically targeting the North Korean People’s Army (NKPA). This is military to military competition for ideas.

The ongoing conflict in Ukraine can serve as a real-world laboratory, demonstrating the power of well-executed psychological warfare. Ukrainian forces have successfully eroded Russian morale, encouraged defections, and sowed doubt among enemy ranks. These tactics offer valuable lessons for dealing with the NKPA.

Ukrainian PSYOP Targeting the North Korean People’s Army in Russia and Ukraine

Ukraine has already initiated a PSYOP program against North Korean soldiers. The “I Want to Live” program offers food, shelter, and warmth to North Korean soldiers who surrender. Many escapees from the north Korea are volunteering to support Ukraine with communications and content to support developing  themes and message to target North Korean soldiers.

Former North Korean soldiers have provided recommendations to Ukraine for tailored PSYOP programs targeting the NPKA. Hyun Seung Lee who served in the NKPA Special Forces has written an open letter to the President of Ukraine and outlined a detailed concept to allow Ukraine to “break their psychological chains, that will not only neutralize a new threat but also save the lives of young men and women Form Ukraine and North Korea. He correctly assesses that what is need is not just a military strategy, but a moral victory.  Listen to Hyun Seung’s pleas to North Korean soldiers here.

ROK/US Alliance PSYOP Targeting the North Korean People’s Army on the Korean Peninsula

Two fundamental primary objectives should drive this PSYOP campaign during the Armistice:

1. Deter KPA soldiers from following orders to attack South Korea
2. Encourage KPA forces to refuse orders suppressing domestic political resistance

To achieve these goals, the mindset of North Korean soldiers must be understood. As Hyun Seung Lee explains, many are disillusioned with the regime but trapped by fear and indoctrination. South Korea and the U.S. must offer them hope, safety, and a path to a better future.

This is a specific proposal focused solely on targeting the NKPA by South Korea and U.S. PSYOP forces by exploiting the opportunities being presented in Ukraine.  Comprehensive and complementary public diplomacy and information and influence campaign targeting the regime and the Korean people are necessary but beyond the scope of this proposal.

Key themes for the PSYOP campaign should include:

Truth and Transparency: Expose the lies of the Kim regime. Show NKPA soldiers the reality of life in South Korea and the wider world. Highlight the corruption and hypocrisy of their leaders.

Shared Korean Identity: Emphasize that South Koreans view them as brothers and sisters, not enemies. Promote the vision of a unified, prosperous Korea.

Amnesty and Opportunity: Guarantee safety and fair treatment for defectors. Showcase success stories of North Korean escapees thriving in the South.

Futility of Aggression: Demonstrate the overwhelming military superiority of the ROK/U.S. alliance. Make it clear that any attack on South Korea is doomed to fail.

Moral Imperative: Appeal to soldiers’ sense of duty to protect the Korean people, not the regime. Frame refusing unjust orders as an act of patriotism.

Question the legitimacy of offensive actions against South Korea: Emphasize the potential futility and high casualties of an offensive, stressing that South Korea and its allies are prepared to defend themselves decisively.

Highlight the regime’s failure to provide basic needs: Underscore how Kim Jong Un’s regime prioritizes nuclear weapons over the welfare of soldiers and their families.

Present narratives of safety and honor in defection: Provide clear instructions and safe routes for soldiers who wish to defect or escape, assuring humane treatment by the South Korean military and international organizations.

All the above must be developed with the advice and assistance of escapees from North Korea, especially including former soldiers.  Putin’s War in Ukraine offers the opportunity to test and refine these messages and based on what is assessed as most effective can then be applied to the NKPA on the Korean peninsula.

To effectively deliver these messages, the alliance must employ a multi-faceted approach.  Many of these techniques are already being effectively employed by non-government organizations consisting of escapees from North Korea and supported by such organizations as the Defense Forum Foundation. Punching well above their weight, these organizations have really made a niche contribution.  It is time for a whole of government and alliance investment in PSYOP using the following concepts:

Digital Infiltration: Despite North Korea’s tight information controls, USB drives, SD cards, and other digital media continue to penetrate the country. The alliance should flood these channels with carefully crafted content.

Radio and television Broadcasts: Expand and enhance existing radio and television programs from Radio Free Asia and Voice of America targeting North Korea. Include testimonials from escapees and messages tailored to military personnel.

Leaflet Campaigns: While controversial, targeted leaflet drops remain an effective way to reach KPA soldiers directly.

Loudspeaker Broadcasts: Reactivate and modernize DMZ loudspeaker systems to deliver timely messages to frontline troops.

Covert Networks: Leverage existing smuggling networks and potential sympathizers within the NKPA to spread information internally.

Leveraging Escapee Networks: Utilize testimonies and messaging from North Korean escapees, who can share authentic stories that resonate deeply with NKPA soldiers, emphasizing the possibility of a better life after defection.

Strategic Considerations for the ROK/U.S. Alliance

For the PSYOP campaign to be successful, the ROK/U.S. alliance must take a long-term view, recognizing that changing deeply entrenched beliefs and behaviors will take time. The following strategic considerations should guide the campaign:

Deep Intelligence Integration: Gather actionable intelligence on NKPA troop locations, morale levels, and the effectiveness of initial messaging efforts to refine tactics continuously.

Collaboration with International Allies: Engage allies who have successfully conducted PSYOP in similar environments, such as Ukraine, to share insights and coordinate efforts.

Legal and Ethical Standards: Ensure that PSYOP activities adhere to international laws and ethical standards, maintaining legitimacy and reducing potential backlash.

Conclusion: A Call to Action

The lessons from Ukraine’s PSYOP campaign against Russian forces highlight the potential effectiveness of strategic influence in modern warfare. Ukraine PSYOP against NKPA forces will provide relevant and valuable lessons that the ROK/U.S. alliance can exploit. For South Korea and the U.S., the stakes are clear: a successful PSYOP campaign targeting the NKPA can prevent conflict escalation, encourage defection, and lay the groundwork for a peaceful Korean unification. It is time for South Korean and U.S. leaders to commit to a comprehensive PSYOP plan aimed at influencing the NKPA—one that begins now and continues until reunification is achieved resulting a new country known as the Untied Republic of Korea (UROK).

About the Author: David Maxwell

David Maxwell is a retired U.S. Army Special Forces Colonel who has spent more than 30 years in the Asia Pacific region. He specializes in Northeast Asian Security Affairs and irregular, unconventional, and political warfare. He is Vice President of the Center for Asia Pacific Strategy and a Senior Fellow at the Global Peace Foundation. Following retirement, he was Associate Director of the Security Studies Program at Georgetown University. He is on the board of directors of the Committee for Human Rights in North Korea and the OSS Society and is a contributing editor to Small Wars Journal.