Imagine if your best friend started hanging out with a new pal who wasn’t too popular. That’s kind of what’s happening between China and North Korea. This weekend, North Korean soldiers could start fighting in Ukraine alongside Russian troops. This is a big deal because North Korea and Russia are buddying up, and China might not like it one bit.

For years, China has been North Korea’s main BFF, but now leader Kim Jong Un is getting cozy with Russian President Vladimir Putin. China probably isn’t thrilled that North Korean troops are joining the fight in Ukraine. They might feel left out of the loop, especially since Russia and North Korea signed a deal saying they’d help each other if needed.

Ukraine says up to 12, 000 North Korean troops are already in Russia, ready to join the fight. This is a huge change because North Korea hasn’t sent troops overseas like this since the Vietnam War. It also means Russia might rely more on North Korea for help, instead of China. That’s a problem for China, which wants to stay friends with both countries.

South Korea and the U. S. are worried too. They think Russia might give North Korea important military technology in exchange for weapons it needs in Ukraine. Even though both countries deny this, it could make Russia more dependent on North Korea. And who knows, it might even lead to more fighting.

China wants to stay neutral in the Ukraine war, but it’s been helping Russia. It has its own reasons to be worried about North Korea’s new partnership. Experts say China isn’t too happy with how North Korea and Russia are acting, but they might talk to the U. S. about ending the war after upcoming elections.

North Korea's Troops in Ukraine: A Wake-Up Call for China

Actions