Summary
North Korea ratified a mutual defense treaty with Russia, pledging military support if either nation is attacked.
The treaty, signed in June, was finalized after Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent visit to Pyongyang and follows reports of North Korean troops engaging Ukrainian forces in Russia’s Kursk region.
North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui voiced support for Russia’s war in Ukraine, calling it a “sacred struggle.”
Western countries, including the G7, have condemned the growing military alliance, expressing concerns over potential North Korean involvement in missile training.
I wonder how China feels about Russia being so chummy with North Korea.
Looks like Russia and NK are baiting the West into conflict… Does China really want that?
China has some obligations and also profits to have from Russia but it sees this connection as toxic so it uses it’s NK subsidiary. They don’t want to smear their reputation for nothing when they already face challenges in foreign tariffs against it’s products like cars. And they also see benefits in keeping Russia under perpetual stress from the West because it leads to this country becoming integrated into chinese market and sphere of influence.
Depends how spicy they’re feeling. If they plan to take Taiwan themselves, any aid or attention diverted to Ukraine or south Korea is good for them. If they plan on relying on russia/best Korea, assets wasted elsewhere will be a negative.
Economically it might be a different story. If a broader conflict happens and China continues to support Russia, trump might get really sanction-y. Even more than the planned tariffs.