North Korea's Troop Deployment and Strategic Gains

North Korea's troop deployment to Russia serves multiple strategic purposes that may reshape regional dynamics. By showing support for Russia, North Korea aims to solidify its alliance with China and enhance its own military experience, which has been lacking since the Korean War. In return for its involvement, North Korea is likely to negotiate for military technology transfers that could advance its nuclear capabilities, potentially altering the power balance on the Korean Peninsula. However, deploying troops close to Ukraine poses substantial risks, including the possibility of defections and ineffective combat performance, which could embarrass the North Korean regime.