. . Over the past months, it was reported that North Korean soldiers are training in Russia-an alarming development around the world.The consequences of this military cooperation will go well beyond the battlefield; it may even reshape the geopolitical landscape in Northeast Asia and affect international relations within the context of major powers such as the United States, China, and Russia.The paper elaborates on the multi-layered implications of North Korea’s potential military involvement in Ukraine, describes the historical background for the development of relations between North Korea and Russia, and also develops the responses of key stakeholders, namely South Korea and the United States.

The Possible Participation of North Korean Troops in Ukraine Historical Precedents

The involvement of North Korean troops in international conflicts is not something new and has been seen in history. During the Korean War (1950–1953), North Korea’s alignments were with China and the Soviet Union, positioning it against the United States and its allies. Moreover, the nature of this conflict is unique, where the combatants took on different characteristics: North Korean…