North Korea's Kim pledges full support to Russia

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has pledged “full support” to Russia in its war against Ukraine. This is a “brotherly duty,” reported the state news agency KCNA. Russian President Vladimir Putin praised the relationship between the two countries as “special” and emphasized the trust and alliance between Moscow and Pyongyang.

The meeting took place on the sidelines of celebrations in China marking the end of World War II. For the first time in decades, Kim, Putin, and Chinese President Xi Jinping stood together at a military parade.
According to KCNA, Kim and Putin spoke openly about international and regional issues and agreed to expand their partnership in the long term. Both reaffirmed their willingness to take bilateral relations to a new level.

Putin also praised North Korean soldiers fighting alongside Russia against Ukraine. North Korea is supplying Russia with weapons, ammunition, and troops. South Korea's intelligence service estimates that around 2,000 North Korean soldiers have been killed so far. Another 6,000 are expected to follow.

In 2024, Kim and Putin had already signed a defense agreement providing for mutual military assistance in the event of an attack.

(reuters, est)