Kim Jong Un Calls Russia’s War in Ukraine ‘Sacred’ in Putin Birthday Message
Kim Jong Un pledged continued support for Russia and called Moscow’s war against Ukraine a “sacred war of justice” in a birthday letter to Vladimir Putin. The message comes as thousands of North Korean troops have fought alongside Russian forces and Seoul estimates around 6,000 have been killed or wounded.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un expressed his "unwavering support" for Russia and hailed Moscow's war against Ukraine as a "sacred war of justice" in a birthday message to Russian President Vladimir Putin, marking the 74th anniversary of the Russian leader's birth. The message, published on October 7 by North Korea's state-run Korean Central News Agency, highlighted the growing military alliance between Pyongyang and the Kremlin.
Kim wrote, "I am pleased to have good friendship with you and open up a new chapter for the development of the relations between our two countries," signaling a commitment to strengthening the "comprehensive strategic partnership and alliance" with Russia. He reiterated that the North Korean government firmly supported the Russian Federation and pledged continued backing for Putin and Russia.
Kim also confidently stated that the Russian people's "sacred war of justice" would lead to victory, language frequently used by Pyongyang to justify its military support for Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. The relationship between Russia and North Korea has progressed beyond diplomatic declarations following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
The two nations signed a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement during Putin's visit to Pyongyang in June 2024, which included a mutual defense clause that significantly expanded military cooperation. Estimates suggest that around 6,000 North Korean troops were killed or wounded during the war, with roughly 10,000 North Korean combat troops and 1,000 engineering personnel deployed in Russia's Kursk region.
In return, Western and South Korean officials claim Moscow has provided Pyongyang with economic assistance, military technology, and battlefield experience. Kim's birthday letter also underscored the increasingly personal nature of his relationship with Putin, referring to the Russian leader as his "dearest friend" and closing the message by warmly embracing his "dear comrade."
This closer relationship reflects the governments' shared struggle against international sanctions and political isolation from Western states, indicating that Pyongyang views the partnership as long-term rather than temporary.
Written by urgent.news from Kyiv Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
