What's happened
North Korea has reportedly deployed thousands of troops to support Russia in the ongoing Ukraine conflict. Recent missile strikes have resulted in casualties among North Korean military personnel, raising concerns about their role in the war. This development marks a significant escalation in North Korea's involvement in international military affairs.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to The Independent, North Korean Col Gen Kim Yong Bok was reportedly coordinating troops in Russia when he was injured in a Ukrainian missile strike. This incident highlights the risks North Korean forces face in the conflict. Business Insider UK notes that North Korean troops are being trained for combat roles with limited preparation, raising concerns about their effectiveness and the potential for high casualties. The Moscow Times reports that North Korea has deployed around 10,000 soldiers to the Kursk region, indicating a significant commitment to supporting Russian military efforts.
How we got here
North Korea has emerged as a key ally of Russia, particularly following high-level meetings between Kim Jong-un and Vladimir Putin. The two nations signed a mutual defense treaty, leading to North Korea sending troops to assist Russia in its military operations in Ukraine.
More on these topics
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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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South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea, is a country in East Asia, constituting the southern part of the Korean Peninsula and sharing a land border with North Korea.
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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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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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John Kirby may refer to:
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Lloyd James Austin III is a retired four-star general of the United States Army. He was the 12th commander of United States Central Command. Austin was the first Black commander to head the organization.