What's happened
As of October 26, 2024, North Korean troops are being deployed to Russia, with estimates of up to 12,000 soldiers training alongside Russian forces. This development raises concerns about the escalation of the Ukraine conflict and potential shifts in regional security dynamics.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to the New York Times, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin described the North Korean troop presence as a 'very serious' escalation, highlighting the potential ramifications for both Europe and Asia. Meanwhile, the South China Morning Post reported that North Korea could send up to 100,000 personnel, which would significantly bolster Russian capabilities in Ukraine. Analysts like Sydney Seiler from CSIS noted that every North Korean soldier deployed frees up a Russian soldier for combat, potentially altering the dynamics of the war. However, concerns remain about the effectiveness of these troops, as Emil Kastehelmi stated, 'I don’t expect them to be a highly effective fighting force.' This uncertainty underscores the complexity of the situation, as the involvement of North Korean forces introduces new variables into an already volatile conflict.
How we got here
The involvement of North Korean troops follows weeks of reports about their training with Russian soldiers. U.S. officials confirmed troop movements, indicating a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
More on these topics
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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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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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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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Vladivostok is a city and the administrative centre of the Far Eastern Federal District and Primorsky Krai, Russia, located around the Golden Horn Bay, not far from Russia's borders with China and North Korea.
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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.