Key facts
- North Korean leader Kim Jong Un vowed to expand and deepen joint work with Russia.
- Kim expressed conviction in Russia's victory in the "sacred war for defending the security interests of the country and international justice."
- Kim pledged his "invariable support" for Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Russian people.
- North Korea has been sending troops to fight alongside Russian forces in Ukraine in 2024.
- Kim sent a similar message to Chinese President Xi Jinping.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said he would "expand and deepen" joint work with Russia in a message to Russian President Vladimir Putin, state media KCNA reported on Tuesday. In a reply sent on Monday to Putin's congratulations for North Korea's 78th founding anniversary, Kim said Pyongyang's government had a firm will to broaden cooperation with Russia "in a comprehensive way" based on friendship, mutual assistance, and what he described as the countries' alliance relations.
Kim also said he was convinced of Russia's victory in the current "sacred war for defending the security interests of the country and international justice," language that appeared to refer to Russia's war in Ukraine. He pledged his "invariable support" for Putin and the Russian people.