North Korea's paramount leader, Kim Jong Un, has recently reaffirmed his nation's backing for Russia's ongoing military incursion into Ukraine, while expressing his desire to strengthen the bond between the two nations.
According to Newsweek, Kim Jong Un stated, "I express firm belief that the strong and brave Russian people will firmly defend the sovereign right and security interests of the state and surely win victory in the sacred war for regional peace and international justice," on Thursday. This statement was issued in response to a message from Russian President Vladimir Putin, who extended "heartfelt congratulations" to Kim on the eve of North Korea's Liberation Day, a significant annual celebration held on August 15.
In a show of respect for the historical ties between the two nations, Kim paid a visit to the Liberation Tower monument in Pyongyang on Thursday. This monument is a tribute to the Red Army soldiers who played a pivotal role in liberating North Korea from Japanese colonial rule in 1945. The founding leader of North Korea, Kim Il Sung, grandfather of the current leader, was a beneficiary of the support of Soviet leader Joseph Stalin, who declared war on Japan towards the end of World War II. Stalin's backing of Kim's communist forces paved the way for the establishment of the Democratic People's Republic following Korea's liberation.
During the commemorative ceremony, Kim laid a wreath at the tower, inscribed with the message "we do not forget the exploits of the fallen fighters of the Soviet Army," as reported by the state news agency KNCA. Kim emphasized, "The friendly feelings of the armies and peoples of the two countries forged and deepened in the bloody struggle against the common enemy serve as a strong driving force for developing the traditional DPRK-Russia relations of friendship and cooperation."
Putin's congratulatory message also underscored the importance of "thoroughly implement[ing] the agreements reached at the recent talks held in Pyongyang," which he believes will "promote the expansion of the reciprocal cooperation between the Russian Federation and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea." These agreements were reached during Putin's visit to North Korea in June, where a treaty on "comprehensive strategic partnership" was signed, including a mutual defense clause.
The Russian president expressed gratitude to Kim for his "unwavering support for Russian policy, including in the Ukrainian direction," as reported by Russian state news agency RIA Novosti. North Korea has consistently supported Russia's "special military operation" since its inception in February 2022, and the bond between the two nations appears to have solidified throughout the conflict.
Evidence of North Korea's support for Russia has been found on Ukrainian battlefields, with debris from North Korean-made missiles discovered by the U.S. Department of Defense. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that these missiles were used in an attack on the nation's capital.
The strengthening alliance between North Korea and Russia has raised concerns among neighboring countries. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has warned that the military cooperation between the two nations poses "a distinct threat and grave challenge to peace and security on the Korean Peninsula and in Europe." This situation underscores the need for vigilance and strategic diplomacy in the face of shifting global alliances.
Login