Kim's Overseas Gambit: What This Means for Global Security North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has used the 78th anniversary of his country's founding to praise troops engaged in overseas operations, a move that underscores Pyongyang's commitment to its military ambitions.
The timing is significant, as it coincides with an estimated 14,000 to 15,000 North Korean soldiers deployed in support of Russia since late 2024.
This deployment is part of a deliberate and coordinated effort between Pyongyang and Moscow, where North Korea gains much needed resources and expertise in exchange for economic and military technology aid.