North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has vowed to expand and deepen cooperation with Russia, while expressing confidence in Moscow's victory in what he described as a “sacred war” for national security and international justice.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has pledged to strengthen his country's relationship with Russia, signalling that Pyongyang intends to deepen its cooperation with Moscow as the war in Ukraine continues.
Kim made the remarks in a message to Russian President Vladimir Putin following congratulations from Moscow on North Korea's 78th founding anniversary. North Korean state media KCNA published the exchange on Tuesday.
Kim pledges deeper cooperation with Russia
Kim said North Korea had a firm commitment to broaden cooperation with Russia “in a comprehensive way,” based on friendship, mutual assistance and the countries' alliance relationship.
He also expressed what KCNA described as his unwavering support for Putin and the Russian people, reinforcing the increasingly close political and military relationship between Pyongyang and Moscow.
The key message: Kim's statement indicates that North Korea sees its partnership with Russia as a long-term strategic relationship rather than a temporary wartime arrangement.
Kim backs Russia's “sacred war”
In his message, Kim said he was convinced of Russia's victory in what he called a “sacred war for defending the security interests of the country and international justice.”
The wording appears to refer to Russia's war in Ukraine, which Moscow continues to describe in terms of protecting its national security interests while Ukraine and its Western allies reject Russia's justification for the invasion.
Kim's public endorsement further demonstrates how closely Pyongyang has aligned itself with Moscow's position on the conflict.
North Korea and Russia have moved much closer
Relations between North Korea and Russia have strengthened significantly since the start of the Ukraine war. The two countries have expanded military cooperation and formalised their relationship through a mutual defence pact.
North Korea has also sent troops to support Russian forces in Ukraine, according to Western and South Korean officials. Reuters previously reported that thousands of North Korean troops had been involved in Russia's war effort.
Pyongyang's involvement has made its relationship with Moscow much more consequential for international security, particularly as Russia continues to face pressure from Western countries over the war.
The Russia-North Korea relationship has developed from diplomatic cooperation into a broader strategic partnership involving military support, security commitments and closer political coordination.
China remains another major partner
Kim's message to Putin came shortly after he sent a similar message to Chinese President Xi Jinping, highlighting Pyongyang's efforts to maintain strong relationships with both of its major neighbours.
Kim told Xi that North Korea would work with China to further develop their traditional friendship and advance their shared socialist cause.
The parallel messages show how North Korea is seeking to reinforce its relationships with Russia and China at a time of heightened geopolitical competition between major powers.
What the relationship could mean
For Russia, closer ties with North Korea provide another source of military and political support while Moscow remains focused on the war in Ukraine.
For North Korea, the relationship can provide access to a powerful diplomatic partner and potentially valuable military and economic cooperation. South Korea and the United States have repeatedly warned about the security implications of growing Russia-North Korea cooperation.
Kim's latest message reinforces a broader geopolitical shift in which North Korea and Russia are building a relationship that extends beyond traditional diplomacy. Their growing cooperation is becoming an increasingly important factor in the security calculations of the Korean Peninsula, Europe and the wider international system.
Conclusion
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has vowed to expand cooperation with Russia and expressed support for Moscow's victory in the war in Ukraine, describing the conflict in terms of a “sacred war” for security and justice.
His message comes as North Korea and Russia continue to deepen their strategic partnership, while Pyongyang simultaneously works to strengthen its traditional relationship with China. The growing network of ties is reshaping North Korea's position in an increasingly divided global geopolitical landscape.
