What Moscow is giving Pyongyang in exchange for its troops could have direct security implications for East Asia, Kyiv's envoy to Tokyo warns.

China has largely refrained from commenting on the deepening alliance between North Korea and Russia. However, the partnership is putting further strain on the historically tense relationship between Pyongyang and Beijing.

Ukrainian and South Korean intelligence services have said that many of the troops deployed to Russia are some of Pyongyang’s best, drawn from the 11th Corps, also known as the Storm Corps - a unit trained in infiltration, infrastructure sabotage and assassinations.

The United States said on Monday it was Russia that is escalating the conflict in Ukraine by deploying North Korean troops, after the Kremlin warned that Washington would deepen its involvement in the war by allowing Kyiv's forces to strike far into Russia with U.

Russia is paying $2,000 a month for each North Korean soldier, per reports. But the soldiers, who could number 100,000, probably won't see any of it.

North Korea ratified a major defence pact with Russia on Tuesday, outlining mutual military aid and requiring both countries to provide each other with immediate military assistance if attacked. Russia had already completed its side of the ratification last week after the pact was signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

In early October 2024, Ukrainian intelligence announced that several thousand North Korean soldiers had begun training in Russia. The South Korean government and the United States corroborated the report.

North Korea may deploy as many as 100,000 soldiers to assist Russia in its war against Ukraine, according to assessments from G20 nations reported by Digi24. The move would deepen the alliance between Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un,

North Korea is considering sending up to 100,000 soldiers to support Russia on the front lines in its fight against Ukraine. According to Bloomberg, intelligence data suggests this plan. Such a move could bolster the Kremlin's combat forces by up to 20%.

North Korea is considering sending up to 100,000 soldiers to support Russia on the front lines in its conflict with Ukraine. According to Bloomberg, intelligence data suggests this plan. Such a move could augment the Kremlin's combat forces by up to 20%.