North Korea-Russia cooperation in Ukraine War: Implications for global geopolitics

North Korea’s deepening involvement in the Ukraine-Russia war signals a pivotal shift in global alliances. North Korea has sent as many as 10,000 soldiers since October 2024 to help Russia in the fight against Ukraine at Moscow request. In early December, officials from Seoul, Washington, and Kyiv reported the entry of North Korean troops into the conflict in “significant numbers,” with South Korean intelligence estimating over 100 casualties so far. Though these figures remain unconfirmed, the presence of North Korean forces raises concerns about their potential impact on the battlefield and broader geopolitical dynamics.