The President of Russia, Vladimir Putinstated that there is one “invincible friendship” with the regime North Korea in a New Year’s letter to the North Korean leader Kim Jong Unin which he praised the participation of soldiers from that country in the Russian military effort against Ukraine, the state agency reported on Thursday KCNA.
The message, which arrived in Pyongyang last week, highlighted the deployment of North Korean troops on Russian territory and claimed that this military cooperation was evidence of it “Militant Brotherhood” between both nations. Putin claimed that the actions of North Korean soldiers and engineers confirmed the level of strategic cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang.
“The heroic efforts of the soldiers of the Korean People’s Army in the battles to liberate the Kursk region from the occupiers and the subsequent activities of Korean engineers on Russian soil clearly demonstrated the invincible friendship“Putin wrote, according to the published version of KCNA.
Military cooperation between Russia and North Korea deepened in 2024 as part of the war between Moscow and Kiev. Secret services South Korea and Western countries estimated that Pyongyang sent more than 10,000 troops to Russia this year. Most of these troops were deployed in Russia’s Kursk region along with artillery ammunition, rockets and long-range missile systems.
Putin also referred to the agreement signed during his official visit to Pyongyang in June last year. According to the Russian President, the provisions of the “historic comprehensive strategic partnership agreement“Thanks to our joint efforts,” these goals were achieved. This agreement contains a mutual defense clause that obliges both parties to provide immediate military assistance if one of them is subjected to an armed attack.
The Russian president also emphasized that strengthening relations between Moscow and Pyongyang will contribute to this “Creating a fair order in the multipolar world”. The statement is part of rhetoric from both governments questioning the international system led by the United States and its allies.
Intelligence from Seoul estimated that around 2,000 North Korean soldiers deployed to support Russia died in military operations. North Korea confirmed as recently as April that it had sent troops to support Moscow in the war against Ukraine and acknowledged that North Korean troops had lost their lives in combat.
After this official confirmation Kim Jong Un held meetings with relatives of the fallen soldiers and expressed their condolences “Unbearable pain”according to North Korean state media reports.
The military agreement between Moscow and Pyongyang sparked reactions in South Korea. After learning about the pact, the South Korean government was led by the conservative government Yoon Suk YeolHe claimed he might reconsider supplying weapons Ukrainealthough there is an internal policy prohibiting this type of support. However, this review did not take place.
The direct involvement of North Korean troops in the European conflict marked a turning point in relations between Russia and North Korea, which already had political and economic ties.
(With information from AFP)
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