In October 2024, North Korea sent troops to Russia to aid its war efforts against Ukraine, marking a significant escalation in the Russo-Ukrainian War. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, the conflict has attracted substantial international attention, with the US emerging as one of Ukraine’s primary supporters. The involvement of North Korean troops could signal a major shift in Moscow’s strategy in the war.

As footage emerges of North Korean soldiers suiting up in Russian gear, Ukraine warns that Pyongyang’s involvement could shift the balance of the conflict. With Moscow and Pyongyang forging a tighter military alliance, the international community faces fresh security concerns.

On Sept. 12, North Korea revealed a glimpse into their uranium enrichment facilities, boasting to the world the speed of their nuclear technology advancement despite the sanctions placed on them by the international community. 

On Nov. 24, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken held a trilateral call with South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin and Japan Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko from their respective offices. The officials spoke about the recent spy satellite launched by North Korea.

As Ukraine struggles to keep the world’s attention on its struggle against Russian forces, one country has seemingly continued to pay attention: North Korea.

On Sunday Oct. 21, Japan, South Korea, and the US conducted their first joint aerial exercise near the Korean Peninsula. The exercise comes on the heels of revived tensions between North Korea and its two Northeast Asian neighbors, as well as continued efforts to soften South Korean-Japanese relations due to the growing threat of China.