North Korean leader Kim Jong Un pledges support for Russia — Asharq Al-Awsat
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, in a birthday greeting to President Vladimir Putin, pledged to continue supporting Russia — an aggressor state — and its war efforts. Asharq Al-Awsat reported this, citing North Korea’s state agency KCNA.
Kim Jong Un said that Pyongyang would continue expanding cooperation with Moscow within the framework of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries. He also expressed confidence that Russia’s “sacred war for justice” to protect its sovereignty, security interests and territorial integrity would end in victory. KCNA’s report did not directly mention Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang
According to estimates by Ukraine and South Korea, since 2024 North Korea has sent between 14,000 and 15,000 troops to support Russia’s war against Ukraine. Relations between Moscow and Pyongyang have strengthened noticeably since Putin and Kim Jong Un signed a mutual defense pact in June 2024.
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Statement on Taiwan
Separately, North Korea criticized the United States over arms sales and military support for Taiwan, accusing Washington of escalating tensions in the Taiwan Strait. In a KCNA commentary, international affairs analyst Kim Myong Chol said that U.S. policy toward Taiwan undermines peace and stability in the region.
Pyongyang also condemned the arrival in Taiwan of fighter jets sold by the United States. The first two of 66 F-16V Block 70 aircraft ordered by Taiwan in 2019 arrived on the island last week. China considers democratically governed Taiwan to be its territory.
