As North Korean troops dispatched to Russia become increasingly involved in combat with Ukraine, China is upping its pressure on North Korea with crackdowns on North Korean workers.

(Reuters) - Russia signed a strategic partnership treaty with Iran on Friday that follows similar pacts with China and North Korea. All three countries are adversaries of the United States, and Russia has used its ties with them to help blunt the impact of Western sanctions and boost its war effort in Ukraine.

The United States, Australia, India, and Japan reaffirmed their partnership at a meeting focusing on countering China's influence. Hosted by Marco Rubio, the Quad grouping emphasized a Free and Open Indo-Pacific.

A four-day exercise being held in South Korea involves South Korean FA-50 fighter aircraft and KA-1 attack aircraft, as well as U.S. A-10 attack aircraft.

North Korea's state media on Wednesday reported U.S. President Donald Trump's inauguration but without any commentary on his presidency, but did accuse the United States of committing atrocities during the 1950-53 Korean War.

John Kirby, White House national security communications adviser, said of Hegseth's remarks on North Korea's status as a nuclear power: "We've not made such a recognition. I can't speak to what the incoming team will—how they'll characterize it. We've not gone so far as to make that recognition."

With the fate of suspended South Korean president Yoon Suk-yeol hanging in the balance, the country has also been left facing an uncertain future as it battles through the resulting political turmoil.

The US special operations forces, now pivotal in cyber and space, focus on countering China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea, leveraging alliances and providing strategic advantages to the US

North Korea flaunts fake IKEA store, defying sanctions. Likely selling counterfeit goods, the store serves as propaganda while exploiting Western brands.

The loose arrangement of hostile powers could pose a series of conundrums for President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for secretary of state.

As South Korean authorities extended President Yoon Suk Yeol's detention, his supporters stormed the courthouse that issued the warrant, smashing windows with police shields.

A chance for Ukraine and Trump to set Putin back and drive a wedge between Pyongyang and Moscow.