English
By Georgia Kiosi, Analyst KEDISA
North Korea’s involvement in the Russia-Ukraine war has evolved from indirect support to active military participation, marking a significant shift in the dynamics of the war and in the international alliances.
North Korea has tirelessly worked to strengthen its nuclear capabilities for decades, enduring continuous poverty, and isolation from the world. Interestingly, to this day, nobody can be sure about North Korea’s internal reality. However, North Korea appears to be a de facto nuclear state with one of the most aggressive nuclear postures in the world. Unlike other nuclear-armed nations, both official, such as the United States, Russia, China, France, and the United Kingdom, and unofficial, like Israel, India, and Pakistan, North Korea has openly threatened to use nuclear weapons to attack and annex other states. Therefore, North Korea has officially expressed its willingness to escalate to dangerous levels.
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, North Korea has provided Russia with artillery shells and ballistic missiles to replenish dwindling munition stockpiles. Yet, the most escalatory move occurred when North Korea, in late October 2024, sent about 10,000 troops to Russia, some of whom are now reported to be fighting the Ukrainians in Russia’s Kursk region.[1]
North Korea’s ammunition shipments to Russia for use in Ukraine, Putin’s visit to Pyongyang, in June 2024, and the deployment of North Korean special forces to support Russia’s war established the foundations for a comprehensive strategic partnership.[2] For North Korea, the conflict serves as a training ground, providing its troops with combat experience and exposure to modern warfare tactics. This assistance, undoubtedly, reflects a broader strategy to strengthen Moscow- Pyongyang ties and assert North Korea’s global position in the international arena.
In June 2024, Russia and North Korea signed a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty.[3] Nevertheless, this partnership is more of a “marriage of convenience” rather than a strong alliance. Russia needs North Korean munitions for its war in Ukraine, while North Korea seeks economic aid, desperate for food and other resources to stabilize internal instabilities and sustain its military programs.[4] Consequently, this new cooperation between Russia and North Korea does not signal a deep, long-term alliance but rather a pragmatic exchange.
The involvement of North Korean forces in global conflict has significant geopolitical ramifications, challenging existing international alliances and raising concerns about the proliferation of authoritarian partnerships. The shifting geopolitical landscape has influenced South Korea’s foreign policy as well.
On 1 January 2018, North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un bluntly stated, “The entire US mainland is within our nuclear strike range, and the nuclear button is always on my office desk. This is not a threat but a reality.”[5]
Then, in December 2023, Kim Jong-un ordered his military to prepare for “a great event to suppress the whole territory of South Korea by mobilising all physical means and forces, including nuclear forces.”[6] Again, in late 2023, North Korea declared its intent to attack and annex South Korea. North Korea openly announced to its aim to accomplish “두번째 사명 [the second mission]” and “령토완정 [complete territory establishment/conclusion/rectification]”, Kim Jong-un expressed his objective to “completely occupying, suppressing, and reclaiming [South Korea] and incorporating it into the territory of our Republic [North Korea]”.[7]
At the same time, South Korea has been consistently threatening with a decapitation operation against the North Korean leader.[8] On 1 January 2024, the South Korean Ministry of National Défense issued a statement stating that “should North Korea decide to use nuclear weapons against us [South Korea], our response will be to strengthen our alliance with the US and the Kim regime will meet its end.”[9]
North Korea’s increasingly aggressive nuclear rhetoric challenges the delicate balance in the region, further escalating tensions, testing not only regional but also international stability.
North Korea’s advancing military capabilities, and the evolving dynamics of international alliances highlight the complex realities of the international arena. As North Korea strengthens its ties with Russia and the broader geopolitical landscape shifts, it, undoubtedly, challenges the existing balance of power at the global stage.
Sources
Bennett, Bruce W. “A Russia–North Korea Alliance in the Works? Don’t Be So Sure”, RAND, 2024.
Haggard, Henry. “Korean Support for Kyiv Would Transform Ukraine and Korea’s Global Role”, CSIS (Center for Strategic and International Studies), 2024.
Hornung, Jeffrey W. “Ukraine Is Now a Proxy War for Asian Powers”, RAND, 2024.
Park, Hwee-rhak. “An introduction to the “balance of fear”: case studies of North Korea’s challenge to the United States and South Korea’s KMPR against North Korea”, Defense & Security Analysis, 2024.
Endnotes
[1] Hornung, Jeffrey W. “Ukraine Is Now a Proxy War for Asian Powers”, RAND, 2024.
[2] Haggard, Henry. “Korean Support for Kyiv Would Transform Ukraine and Korea’s Global Role”, CSIS (Center for Strategic and International Studies), 2024.
[3] Bennett, Bruce W. “A Russia–North Korea Alliance in the Works? Don’t Be So Sure”, RAND, 2024.
[4] Bennett, Bruce W. “A Russia–North Korea Alliance in the Works? Don’t Be So Sure”, RAND, 2024.
[5] Park, Hwee-rhak. “An introduction to the “balance of fear”: case studies of North Korea’s challenge to the United States and South Korea’s KMPR against North Korea”, Defense & Security Analysis, 2024.
[6] Park, Hwee-rhak. “An introduction to the “balance of fear”: case studies of North Korea’s challenge to the United States and South Korea’s KMPR against North Korea”, Defense & Security Analysis, 2024.
[7] Park, Hwee-rhak. “An introduction to the “balance of fear”: case studies of North Korea’s challenge to the United States and South Korea’s KMPR against North Korea”, Defense & Security Analysis, 2024.
[8] Park, Hwee-rhak. “An introduction to the “balance of fear”: case studies of North Korea’s challenge to the United States and South Korea’s KMPR against North Korea”, Defense & Security Analysis, 2024.
[9] Park, Hwee-rhak. “An introduction to the “balance of fear”: case studies of North Korea’s challenge to the United States and South Korea’s KMPR against North Korea”, Defense & Security Analysis, 2024.
