North Korea has decided to go beyond providing weapons to Russia in its war against Ukraine. They have been reportedly sending over troops to aid in the hostile takeover of Ukraine, according to The Washington Post.

North Korea has been providing weapons and munitions to Russia ever since the two countries signed a mutual defense pact over the summer. In it, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un pledged "full" support to Russia in their war against Ukraine, according to The Washington Post.

The United States, South Korea, and Japan have been in talks regarding Russia's continuous and escalating war efforts against Ukraine. U. S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell has referred to the situation as "alarming," according to MSN.

"Russia and North Korea have an agreement that is basically a military alliance, so it is highly likely that North Korea would send additional troops. That's how we're assessing it, and we will definitely prepare for it," South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun told The Washington Post.

From Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's perspective, North Korea has entered the war.

In an announcement picked up by United24Media on Monday, Zelenskyy said, "Whoever assists Russia, we will respond as harshly as necessary to protect Ukraine. We will also work with our partners to ensure Russia's plans fail. And this is possible. That's exactly how it will be."

He went on to note an intentional push to force Putin to realize that he may end up taking on all European partners if he continues with the war.

Putin has released a statement that he would consider using nuclear weapons if Russia is attacked by any of the NATO countries, according to MSN. It's believed that Russia could be prepared to launch an attack against NATO by 2030, possibly sooner.

North Korea's involvement with the Russian-Ukraine war likely means there will be a dramatic increase in Christian persecution in Ukraine. North Korea is the worst country for Christian persecution as of 2023, according to Open Doors Christian ministry.

If a person is discovered to be a Christian in North Korea, they are either killed on the spot or taken to a labor camp as a political criminal. North Korea has also strengthened its borders so that it's more difficult for Christians to flee.

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