North Korea's leader, Kim Jong Un, has signaled an intent to "expand and deepen" joint work with Russia, according to a message KCNA said was sent to Russian President Vladimir Putin. The dispatch, released by North Korea's state media, was presented as a reply sent on Monday to Putin's congratulatory letter marking North Korea's 78th founding anniversary.
In the message, Kim said Pyongyang's government possesses a firm will to broaden cooperation with Russia "in a comprehensive way." He framed that pledge as rooted in friendship, mutual assistance, and the alliance relations between the two countries.
Kim also said he was convinced of Russia's victory in what he termed the current "sacred war for defending the security interests of the country and international justice." That passage appears to refer to Russia's war in Ukraine. In the same reply, KCNA reported, Kim pledged his "invariable support" for Putin and the Russian people.
The comments arrive amid what observers have characterized as a marked warming of ties between Moscow and Pyongyang. KCNA's report noted earlier developments including reports that North Korea sent personnel to fight alongside Russian forces in Ukraine in 2024 and that the two countries have deepened military cooperation under a mutual defence pact.
Kim delivered a parallel message to Chinese President Xi Jinping, published by KCNA on Sunday. In that reply, Kim said North Korea would work with China to further develop their traditional friendship and to advance their shared socialist cause.
Both communications to Putin and Xi were responses to congratulatory letters the two leaders sent on September 9, the day North Korea observed its 78th anniversary.
Context limitations: The state media summaries published by KCNA form the basis of these reported statements; the texts quoted are those released by North Korean official channels.