North Korea is involved in it for the same reason countries send military observers to conflicts. It hasn't fought a war in decades, and it needs to figure out

North Korea is involved in it for the same reason countries send military observers to conflicts. It hasn't fought a war in decades, and it needs to figure out whether or not any of its shit/doctrines/etc works. It doesn't actually give a rat's ass about Crimea or Ukraine or Russian claims. It fully relies on friendly logistics to participate in the conflict.