The ideological and military partnership between Russia and North Korea, supported by China and Iran, exacerbates conflicts worldwide and poses a threat to democratic nations.
According to analyst Joseph Bosco in a column for The Hill, recent actions by Moscow and Pyongyang indicate their aggressive intentions, particularly regarding the potential deployment of North Korean troops to Ukraine. This marks a new phase in global confrontation, which could have serious consequences.
Bosco states that the placement of North Korean soldiers in Kursk represents a clear violation of international law. Russia and North Korea claim they are acting under Article 51 of the UN Charter, justifying their actions as acts of self-defense. However, experts point out that this article applies only to states that have been subjected to aggression, making such an interpretation erroneous.
The United States has responded strongly to the possibility of North Korea's involvement in the war. National Security spokesperson John Kirby stated that any North Korean troops engaged in combat would become legitimate military targets for Ukrainian defenders. U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin added that Pyongyang's participation in the conflict could lead to unpredictable consequences for the entire Indo-Pacific region.
South Korea, alarmed by the increasing pressure from North Korea, is also considering the supply of weapons to Ukraine and does not rule out the possibility of deploying its military forces if the conflict escalates globally.
Source: thehill.