What's happened
North Korean troops are reportedly supporting Russian forces in Ukraine, marking a significant military alliance between the two nations. This development raises concerns about regional stability and the implications for North Korea's relationships with China and Russia, as well as the broader geopolitical landscape.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to Mari Yamaguchi from The Independent, the EU's foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, emphasized the need for partnerships in a dangerous world, highlighting the historical significance of the EU-Japan security partnership amid rising tensions with Russia and North Korea. Meanwhile, Axios reports that the Pentagon has confirmed the presence of 10,000 North Korean troops in Russia, raising alarms about the implications for U.S. national security. The South China Morning Post notes that the deployment of North Korean troops is seen as a significant risk for Kim Jong-un, who typically maintains strict control over his military forces. This complex situation is further complicated by China's cautious stance, as highlighted by Business Insider, which suggests that while China may not openly support the North Korea-Russia alliance, it is strategically positioned to benefit from it.
How we got here
The deployment of North Korean troops to Russia follows a series of military collaborations between North Korea and Russia, exacerbated by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. This alliance has been fueled by shared interests in countering Western influence and military support.
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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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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China, officially the People's Republic of China, is a country in East Asia. It is the world's most populous country, with a population of around 1.4 billion in 2019.
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Kim Yo-jong is a North Korean politician serving as the first vice director of the United Front Department of the Workers' Party of Korea.
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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.
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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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The European Union is a political and economic union of 27 member states that are located primarily in Europe. Its members have a combined area of 4,233,255.3 km² and an estimated total population of about 447 million.
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Josep Borrell Fontelles is a Spanish politician. A member of the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party, he serves as Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation since 2018.