North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong Un, has issued a stark warning about the risk of World War III, accusing the United States and its Western allies of using Ukraine as a tool to fight Russia. In a speech reported by state media, Kim said the West is treating the Ukrainian military as “shock troops” and expanding its military interventions worldwide.

The US and South Korea claim that North Korea has sent more than 10,000 troops to aid Russia in the war against Ukraine. Experts suggest that Kim might be looking for advanced technology and military experience for his forces in return. Despite these allegations, Pyongyang has denied the deployment, and Kim avoided addressing the issue directly in his recent speech to battalion commanders.

Kim criticized the United States for its continued military assistance to Ukraine, calling it a move that “raises the concern of World War III.” He pledged to expand North Korea’s nuclear weapons program “without limit” to bolster its defenses.

South Korean officials recently claimed that North Korean soldiers are already engaged in combat alongside Russian forces near Ukraine’s borders. Analysts believe Kim might consider sending more troops to support Russia, deepening the partnership between the two nations.

The West fears that North Korea’s involvement in the conflict could come with a dangerous trade-off. In exchange for troop deployments, Russia might provide Pyongyang with advanced technologies to further its nuclear weapons program.

This has led to a significant shift in South Korea’s approach. While it has resisted sending lethal aid to Ukraine so far, it is now reconsidering its stance, hinting at a possible policy change.

Kim’s warning underscores the growing tensions between global powers. With North Korea and Russia strengthening ties amid the Ukraine war, concerns over a broader conflict continue to rise. As nations position themselves in this complex situation, the threat of a wider global conflict looms larger.