North Korea’s Kim vows to expand ties with Russia, backs victory in ‘sacred war’ — SkimNews
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- Kim Jong Un told Putin on Sept 14 he would "expand and deepen" cooperation with Russia "in a comprehensive way," grounded in what he described as the two countries' alliance relations and mutual assistance.
- Kim Jong Un said he was convinced of Russia's victory in the "sacred war for defending the security interests of the country and international justice" — language appearing to refer to Russia's war in Ukraine.
- Kim Jong Un pledged his "invariable support" for Putin and the Russian people, with KCNA publishing the exchange on Sept 15.
- North Korea sent troops to fight alongside Russian forces in Ukraine in 2024 and has deepened military cooperation with Moscow under a mutual defence pact, per Reuters.
- Kim Jong Un sent a parallel message to Chinese President Xi Jinping, published by KCNA on Sept 13, pledging to develop their traditional friendship and shared socialist cause.
- Both messages followed congratulatory letters Putin and Xi sent on Sept 9 for North Korea's 78th founding anniversary.
Why it matters: Kim's use of "sacred war" framing for Russia's Ukraine effort is a full ideological endorsement that goes beyond transactional troop-for-ammunition exchanges, locking Pyongyang into Moscow's war narrative at a moment when North Korean soldiers are already fighting in Ukraine. Paired with a parallel pledge to deepen ties with Xi, it reinforces Pyongyang's tight alignment with both of its main patrons as the war grinds on.
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