What's happened
As of early September 2025, North Korea has deployed over 10,000 troops to Russia’s Kursk region since 2024, supporting Moscow’s war effort in Ukraine with soldiers, artillery, missiles, and rocket systems. Around 600 North Korean soldiers have died, thousands wounded. Kim Jong Un has publicly honored fallen troops and pledged support for their families, while Russia’s Vladimir Putin praised their role in retaking Kursk.
What's behind the headline?
Strategic Alliance and Military Support
North Korea’s deployment of over 10,000 troops and extensive military supplies to Russia’s Kursk region represents a significant deepening of the Pyongyang-Moscow alliance. This military cooperation is not merely symbolic; it materially bolsters Russia’s efforts in Ukraine, particularly in a contested border region. The presence of North Korean combat engineers and plans to send thousands more workers for reconstruction indicate a long-term commitment.
Domestic Messaging and Regime Stability
Kim Jong Un’s public mourning ceremonies, emotional embraces with soldiers and families, and pledges to support soldiers’ children serve multiple purposes. They aim to project a caring leadership image, bolster military morale, and contain potential public dissatisfaction over casualties. The glorification of fallen soldiers as “heroes” and the emphasis on self-sacrifice reflect North Korea’s indoctrination culture and the regime’s need to justify losses.
Geopolitical Implications
The alliance challenges Western efforts to isolate Russia and North Korea. Putin’s praise of North Korean troops as “heroic” and the mutual defense treaty signed in 2024 underscore a strategic partnership that counters US and allied influence. The timing of phone calls between Kim and Putin ahead of Putin’s summit with US President Donald Trump suggests coordination and an intent to showcase unity.
Forecast and Consequences
This military cooperation will likely continue and deepen, with North Korea possibly sending additional troops and workers. The alliance strengthens Russia’s position in Ukraine and complicates diplomatic efforts for peace. For North Korea, it enhances its international standing with a powerful ally but risks further sanctions and isolation. The human cost for North Korean soldiers and their families remains high, with the regime tightly controlling information and public sentiment.
Reader Impact
While geographically distant, this story affects global security dynamics and the prospects for peace in Ukraine. It highlights how proxy forces and alliances shape modern conflicts, underscoring the interconnectedness of regional wars and global diplomacy.
What the papers say
The Moscow Times reports that North Korea sent over 10,000 troops to Russia’s Kursk region in 2024, with around 600 killed and thousands wounded, highlighting Kim Jong Un’s public honors for fallen soldiers and Putin’s praise for their heroism. The South China Morning Post details Kim’s emotional speeches consoling bereaved families and pledging support for soldiers’ children, emphasizing the regime’s efforts to rally morale and manage public perception. Al Jazeera adds context on the strategic partnership, noting Kim and Putin’s recent phone calls and mutual defense pact, and discusses the broader geopolitical implications amid ongoing US-Russia tensions. The NY Post focuses on the military aspects, including the return of North Korean generals and the deployment of combat engineers, suggesting Russia’s confidence in holding Kursk. The Independent and The Moscow Times provide background on the historical ties between Russia and North Korea, including their joint WWII legacy and recent diplomatic visits, framing the current alliance as a continuation of longstanding military friendship. These sources collectively illustrate a multifaceted story of military cooperation, political messaging, and geopolitical strategy.
How we got here
North Korea and Russia have strengthened ties since 2024, signing a mutual defense pact. Pyongyang confirmed troop deployments to Russia’s Kursk region in April 2025, marking a shift from previous secrecy. The soldiers support Russia’s campaign against Ukraine, with Pyongyang also supplying large quantities of munitions. This cooperation aligns with both nations’ strategic interests amid ongoing conflict and diplomatic isolation.
Go deeper
- How many North Korean troops have been deployed to Russia?
- What has Kim Jong Un said about the soldiers killed in Ukraine?
- How does this alliance affect the Russia-Ukraine conflict?
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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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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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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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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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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.
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Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.