Kim Jong-un congratulates Putin on his birthday... “Development of alliance, unchanging choice”

North Korean Chairman Kim Jong-un sent a congratulatory message to Russian President Vladimir Putin on his birthday, reaffirming his commitment to the North Korea-Russia alliance and showing off the close relationship between the two leaders.

In a congratulatory message on the 7th, Chairman Kim congratulated him and said, "I am glad that we have formed an excellent friendship with you and that we are opening a new chapter in the development of relations between our two countries," the Korean Central News Agency reported on this day.

He continued, "It is the steadfast policy of the government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and my own unchanging choice to value the comprehensive strategic partnership and alliance with the brotherly Russian Federation and to steadily expand and develop joint projects."

He added, "I am firmly convinced that the Russian people's crusade for justice to protect the country's sovereignty, security interests and territorial integrity will be concluded victoriously, and I reaffirm my unwavering support for you and the Russian Federation."

Chairman Kim also praised, "Over the past 20 years, under your excellent and experienced leadership, the Russian Federation has solidified its dignity and status as a great nation, created a new turning point in century-old development, and proudly established itself at the top of the world as a powerful and thriving country."

At the beginning of the congratulatory message, Chairman Kim called President Putin “my closest friend,” and in his concluding remarks he wrote, “A close comrade, I give you a warm embrace,” highlighting the closeness and special relationship between the two leaders.

After North Korea and Russia signed a 'Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership' at a summit in June 2024, they became closely attached as a 'blood alliance', with North Korea sending combat soldiers and engineers to the Ukraine war from October of that year.