US urges China to curb North Korean troop deployment as Pyongyang supports Russia in Ukraine

The Biden administration is pressuring China to act on North Korea's latest move — sending troops to support Russia in the Ukraine war. The U.S. hopes China, North Korea's key ally, will influence Pyongyang to limit or halt the deployment, as North Korean soldiers are reportedly en route to combat zones in western Russia. The State Department raised the issue directly with Chinese diplomats, stressing the potential destabilizing effects this partnership could have on global security.

China, while maintaining a close relationship with Russia, is wary of North Korea's growing reliance on Moscow, which threatens Beijing’s influence over Pyongyang. North Korean military involvement in Ukraine could invite greater European involvement in East Asia, a shift China opposes. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, following recent talks with Chinese officials, expects Russia to deploy North Korean forces imminently, asserting they will be "legitimate targets" on the battlefield.

This tripartite alliance — China, North Korea, and Russia — evokes memories of Cold War dynamics, though current relationships are nuanced. American officials believe China is concerned that North Korea's actions could complicate Beijing's regional interests, especially if Russia provides nuclear or space technology to North Korea. However, analysts caution that China’s bond with Russia likely remains solid despite these new complications. The U.S. hopes that by amplifying the strategic risk posed by the Russia-North Korea pact, China might rein in Kim Jong-un’s ambitions. But experts argue that China’s priority of supporting Russia could outweigh any concerns about North Korea’s actions, potentially limiting U.S. leverage on Beijing.