Russia-North Korea Alignment: Potential internal Risks for North Korea
► The Russia-DPRK Treaty signed in June 2024 promises expanded cooperation across various sectors, but its immediate manifestation in military deployments raises concerns about the risks of this alliance both internationally and within North Korea.
► While North Korea’s economic hardships and need for foreign exchange partly explain its military support for Russia, the pursuit of military and technical assistance, including missile and nuclear technology, appears to be the primary motive behind this partnership.
► The covert deployment of North Korean troops to Russia, coupled with increasing casualties and dissatisfaction among soldiers, poses significant risks of social unrest, defections, and potential destabilization of the North Korean regime.
