What's happened
North Korea has deployed thousands of troops to support Russia in Ukraine, with an estimated 2,000 casualties. Kim Jong Un unveiled a new street in Pyongyang, symbolizing military sacrifice and political loyalty, amid preparations for a major party congress.
What's behind the headline?
The deployment of North Korean troops to support Russia signals a strategic alignment between the two authoritarian regimes, both facing international isolation. Kim Jong Un’s unveiling of Saeppyol Street and the visit to families of fallen soldiers serve as political tools to justify military actions and bolster internal unity. The timing of these events, ahead of the party congress, indicates a calculated effort to reinforce Kim’s authority and demonstrate loyalty to Moscow. The casualties—estimated at around 2,000—highlight the human cost of this support, while the military aid and technical assistance from Russia suggest North Korea is gaining combat experience and modernizing its weapons systems. This alliance complicates regional security dynamics and underscores North Korea’s willingness to engage in international conflicts for strategic gains, despite economic hardships and diplomatic sanctions.
What the papers say
The articles from Arab News, Al Jazeera, The Moscow Times, The Independent, and AP News collectively depict North Korea’s military support for Russia, emphasizing the political symbolism of Kim Jong Un’s public ceremonies and the strategic timing before the party congress. While some sources highlight the internal propaganda efforts and the glorification of soldiers, others focus on the military aid and casualties. The consistent narrative across outlets underscores North Korea’s calculated political messaging and military involvement, with analysts viewing the street inauguration as a move to justify troop deployment and reinforce Kim’s leadership amid international tensions.
How we got here
North Korea has increased propaganda glorifying its troops fighting in Ukraine, aligning with Russia through military aid and dispatching thousands of soldiers. The deployment is linked to North Korea’s support for Russia’s war effort and is timed with the upcoming ruling party congress, where Kim Jong Un’s leadership and policies are expected to be emphasized.
Go deeper
Common question
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Why Is North Korea Supporting Russia in Ukraine?
North Korea's recent support for Russia in Ukraine has raised many questions worldwide. Why is Pyongyang sending soldiers and military aid? What does this mean for the ongoing conflict? And how could this impact global diplomacy? Below, we explore the key reasons behind North Korea's actions and what they could mean for the future of international relations.
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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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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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Pyongyang is the capital and largest city of North Korea. Pyongyang is located on the Taedong River about 109 kilometers upstream from its mouth on the Yellow Sea. According to the 2008 population census, it has a population of 3,255,288. Pyongyang is a d
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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