The Ukraine War has undoubtedly triggered far-reaching global repercussions, with the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea severely undermining global security and the post-war international order. Meanwhile, global efforts are underway to help Ukraine recover from the devastating impacts of war. These parallel developments provide a profound insight into how opportunities for stability and progress emerge in a volatile and unpredictable geopolitical landscape.

In October 2024, NATO secretary-general Mark Rutte confirmed that North Korea had deployed troops to western Russia to aid with their war efforts against Ukraine. This development has raised serious concerns, particularly regarding the benefits that it will bring to North Korea and Kim Jong Un’s broader ambitions for global influence. Not only will this deployment offer North Korean troops valuable combat experience – allowing them to test their military technology against Western forces – but will have far-reaching implications for global security and stability, with the potential to shift the balance of power in international politics. This development should deeply concern the Western world.