South Korea’s 500,000 Drone Warriors Will Be a Hollow Force (warontherocks.com)

• South Korea aims to build a 500,000-drone military force.
• North Korea gains real drone combat experience from Ukraine war deployments.
• Returning North Korean troops train others in drone warfare.

"South Korea plans to field 500,000 drones based on Ukraine's success, but North Korea is gaining real combat drone experience through its troops deployed to Russia since late 2024. Returning North Korean soldiers are becoming instructors, building a more battle-hardened drone force. South Korea risks a large but hollow force lacking the hard-won lessons of actual combat."