3,000 could easily consist entirely of technical trainers, service, support, communications, and logistics personnel, all dealing with North Korean weapons platforms being deployed in theater.
None of that changes the fact that they are a separate state, engaging in active warfare in Ukraine, alongside Russia. But I’m skeptical that this is a cannon fodder battalion. It’s possible, I just haven’t read any credible reports that have convinced me of that, yet.
One of the reasons I’m more skeptical, is because that would open the door for more overt and direct actions from countries like Poland. There’s already additional countries helping Ukraine on the ground in similar capacities, weapons trainers, support staff, intelligence, etc, and this seems to somewhat mirror that.
There’s also not many sources I trust less in these types of pieces then, “anonymous Western official”.
Of course, all of my assumptions could be wrong, but I’m going to need more confirmed evidence than what I’ve seen so far in regards to these being cannon for a meat grinder, versus trying technical staff, rear echelon support for DPRK weapons platforms, and NK officers looking for knowledge and experience to bring back home to better develop their own military.
Be skeptical of a lot of the news that purports to be coming out North Korea, a lot of it is from groups like the Moonies, and other ideologically and politically motivated propaganda.
I’m not saying this to imply that the DPRK is actually a worker’s paradise, there’s no starvation, no potemkin villages, or that yes, Kim Jong-il did play a round of golf and hit all holes in one.
My point is that for a country known as The Hermit Kingdom, and is extremely insular, secretive, and closed off, there’s a lot fewer credible sources who can actually report accurately on the specific events or acute conditions inside, then the many publications and their articles would have you believe.