Russia, North Korea Pledge Cooperation in All Sectors

• Russia and North Korea reaffirmed their close relationship on the 81st anniversary of Korea's liberation.
• Russian President Vladimir Putin stated cooperation with North Korea would continue in "all the sectors."
• North Korea has supplied Russia with military support, including troops, missiles, and artillery, for the war in Ukraine.
• Russian forces have deployed North Korean ballistic missiles in attacks within Ukraine.
• A mutual-defense provision was included in a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty signed by Putin and Kim in June 2024.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un exchanged messages on August 16, marking the 81st anniversary of Korea's liberation from Japanese colonial rule and reaffirming the strengthening relationship between their nations. Putin stated that cooperation between Russia and North Korea would continue "in all the sectors," while Kim praised the ties, which he described as carrying forward "precious traditions of friendship."

North Korea has become a crucial military supplier to Russia in its ongoing war in Ukraine, providing troops, missiles, and artillery ammunition. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that Russia had already received additional ballistic missiles from Pyongyang, marking a deepening military alliance that includes both arms and personnel. Russian forces have utilized North Korean KN-23 and KN-24 short- and medium-range ballistic missiles in attacks against Ukraine, including an August 11 strike on Zaporizhzhia. Zelensky also indicated that Russia is preparing to receive another 30,000 North Korean troops, following an estimated 14,000 sent in 2024 to fight in Kursk Oblast.

The deepening ties were formalized in June 2024 when Putin and Kim signed a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty, which includes a mutual-defense provision pledging assistance if either country faces an attack.