North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has reaffirmed Pyongyang’s close ties with Russia, telling President Vladimir Putin that he is proud of the relationship between the two countries as North Korea marked the anniversary of its liberation from Japanese colonial rule.Kim’s message came in response to a congratulatory letter from Putin marking the 81st anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II.The exchange underscored the growing strategic partnership between Pyongyang and Moscow, which has deepened significantly since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.Kim said he was “proud” of the countries’ relationship and expressed confidence in its future.“I am always proud to be able to expect more excellent future of the bilateral relations by leading, together with you, the DPRK-Russia ties that has carried forward the history of common struggle,” Kim said in his letter, according to North Korean state media KCNA.He also expressed “firm belief” that Russia would prosper and protect its “territorial integrity” under Putin’s leadership.
Putin hails ‘unprecedentedly high level’ of partnership
Putin’s message, delivered to Kim on Friday, described ties between Moscow and Pyongyang as having reached an “unprecedentedly high level of comprehensive strategic partnership”.“Our states are actively cooperating in all the sectors while making concerted efforts to ensure the regional security and stability,” Putin said, according to news agency AFP.Kim, in his reply, said the relationship had preserved the “history of common struggle for justice and precious traditions of friendship”.The two countries’ ties have expanded sharply since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. North Korea has provided troops and weapons to support Moscow’s war effort, making its involvement in the conflict its most significant military engagement outside the Korean peninsula since the Korean War.In return, analysts have said Pyongyang has received economic assistance and military technology from Moscow.The latest exchange also came as the Russian ship Pallada arrived at Wonsan port in North Korea on Saturday for a goodwill visit linked to the liberation anniversary. It was welcomed by North Korean provincial officials and Russian embassy staff, according to KCNA.
North Korea’s Russia ties grow as Seoul seeks dialogue
The strengthening North Korea-Russia relationship comes as South Korean President Lee Jae Myung renewed calls for engagement with Pyongyang.In a speech on Saturday marking Korea’s liberation from Japanese colonial rule, Lee called for talks aimed at establishing peaceful coexistence between the two Koreas.He said Seoul wanted safeguards to prevent conflict and urged efforts to replace the armistice that ended the 1950-53 Korean War with a formal “peace regime”.Lee also said dialogue could address ways to curb the expansion of North Korea’s nuclear capabilities.North Korea has so far rejected Lee’s overtures and has criticised planned US-South Korean military exercises as provocations.The two Koreas technically remain at war because the 1950-53 conflict ended with an armistice rather than a peace treaty.The contrast between Seoul’s push for dialogue and Pyongyang’s increasingly close military relationship with Moscow highlights the competing diplomatic and security dynamics on the Korean peninsula.
Ukraine war adds to scrutiny of Pyongyang-Moscow cooperation
The Kim-Putin exchange also comes amid continuing allegations about North Korean military support for Russia.Ukraine has accused Moscow of using North Korean ballistic missiles in attacks. AFP reported that Kyiv alleged this month that Russian forces had launched North Korean missiles in a strike that killed at least nine people and wounded dozens.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has also claimed that as many as 50,000 North Korean troops could be deployed to Russia, although Kyiv has not provided evidence or a timeframe supporting that claim.The growing military cooperation has raised concerns in Seoul and Washington about the transfer of battlefield experience and military technology between Russia and North Korea.
