What's happened
North Korea has reaffirmed its support for Russia amid the ongoing Ukraine conflict, with Kim Jong Un meeting Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu. North Korean troops are reportedly fighting alongside Russian forces in the Kursk region, marking a significant military collaboration between the two nations.
What's behind the headline?
Key Insights:
- Military Collaboration: North Korea's deployment of troops to Russia signifies a deepening military alliance, with estimates suggesting up to 15,000 North Korean soldiers may be involved in the conflict.
- Political Support: Kim Jong Un's commitment to 'unconditional support' for Russia highlights a shared agenda against Western influence, particularly regarding Ukraine.
- Strategic Implications: This partnership may lead to increased military technology exchanges, raising concerns among the U.S. and its allies about North Korea's nuclear capabilities.
- Regional Stability: The collaboration could destabilize the region further, as both nations seek to counter perceived threats from the West, particularly the U.S. and NATO.
- Future Outlook: As the conflict in Ukraine continues, expect North Korea to play a more active role, potentially influencing the dynamics of international relations in East Asia and beyond.
What the papers say
According to The Independent, Kim Jong Un expressed confidence in Russia's victory, stating that North Korea would support Russia's foreign policies, particularly regarding Ukraine. The Japan Times reported that North Korea has sent thousands of troops and weapons to aid Russia, marking a significant military alliance. AP News noted that this partnership was formalized in a strategic agreement signed in June 2024, with both nations discussing further cooperation during Shoigu's recent visit to Pyongyang. The Moscow Times highlighted the casualties among North Korean troops, indicating the high stakes of this military collaboration.
How we got here
North Korea and Russia have increasingly aligned their military and political interests, particularly since the onset of the Ukraine conflict. North Korea's troop deployment to Russia was confirmed in April 2025, with both nations emphasizing their strategic partnership.
Go deeper
- What are the implications of North Korea's support for Russia?
- How many troops has North Korea sent to Russia?
- What does this mean for the Ukraine conflict?
Common question
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What is the military cooperation between North Korea and Russia?
Recent developments have highlighted a significant military alliance between North Korea and Russia, raising questions about the implications for global security and regional conflicts. As North Korean troops engage alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, many are left wondering about the historical context and future consequences of this partnership.
More on these topics
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North Korea, officially the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, is a country in East Asia constituting the northern part of the Korean Peninsula.
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Sergei Kuzhugetovich Shoigu is a Russian politician and General of the Army who has served as Minister of Defence of the Russian Federation and as Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Defense of the CIS since 2012.
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Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the second-largest European country after Russia, which borders it to the east and northeast.
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Russia, or the Russian Federation, is a transcontinental country located in Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. Covering an area of 17,125,200 square kilometres, it is the largest country in the world by area, spanning more than one-eighth of the Earth's in
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Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin is a Russian politician and former intelligence officer who has served as President of Russia since 2012, previously holding the position from 1999 until 2008.
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Kim Jong-un is a North Korean politician who has been the supreme leader of North Korea since 2011 and chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea since 2012.