Kim Jong Un Declares North Korea Will “Always Stand with Russia”
On the occasion of Russia Day, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un reaffirmed his nation’s deep-rooted alliance with Moscow, sending a personal message to Russian President Vladimir Putin declaring that North Korea will “always stand with Russia.” The message, published by North Korean state media, underlined the evolving military and strategic partnership between the two nations amid the backdrop of Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.
Kim Calls Putin His “Dearest Comrade”
In his letter to Putin, Kim emphasized the historic solidarity between Pyongyang and Moscow, describing it as a “genuine relationship between comrades-in-arms.” The language echoed Cold War-era alliances and underscored Kim’s personal camaraderie with the Russian leader. He assured Putin of North Korea’s unwavering loyalty, stating that Pyongyang stands ready to expand cooperation “in all fields.”
This comes amid deepening diplomatic and military ties between the two nations, particularly since their summit in September 2023 and the signing of a strategic cooperation pact in June 2024.
North Korean Troop Deployment in Ukraine Confirmed
In a significant revelation, North Korea has now formally confirmed that it has deployed troops to support Russia in the Ukraine conflict. While rumors and satellite evidence had long hinted at such involvement, this is the first time Pyongyang has publicly admitted to direct participation. The North Korean military units are reportedly engaged in support roles, possibly including logistics, ammunition delivery, and battlefield engineering.
This move solidifies North Korea’s position as one of Russia’s few declared military allies in the war and could provoke heightened international backlash, including fresh sanctions or military countermeasures from the West.
Strategic Pact and Geopolitical Fallout
The strengthening of DPRK-Russia ties was formalized with the 2024 Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty, which included provisions for mutual defense and military-technical cooperation. Under this framework:
- North Korea has reportedly supplied Russia with artillery shells, short-range missiles, and ammunition.
- Russia, in turn, is believed to have provided North Korea with drone and satellite technologies.
- Rail and trade links between the two nations have also been restored and expanded.
The alliance has raised alarm in Western capitals, with Washington and Seoul characterizing it as a destabilizing force in global geopolitics. The open military partnership may embolden both regimes while increasing tensions in East Asia and Eastern Europe.
