” If you were Putin and you could obtain some useful cannon fodder (probably for a relatively low price) why wouldn’t you do it?”
Using Wagner mercenaries, convicts, and now North Koreans, I’d say they’re very conscious of the war talk in NATO capitals and all-over western media and saving the Russians in case NATO attacks. Can you say Great Patriotic War II?
You see this as Kim living up to the bargain and new treaty he signed with Putin. When any nation invades one of the signers—the other must help them with troops and military forces. Ukraine invades Russian territory so North Korea is sending troops in the hope that if South Korea or USA invades North Korea, Russia would send in troops. The treaty only apply s to People who invade Russia—Not anyplace Russia invades—so Once Kursk is won—the North Koreans will go home.