Kim Jong-un vows to expand joint work with Russia amid deepening ties
Quick Look
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un pledged to expand and deepen joint work with Russia in a message to President Vladimir Putin, citing the comprehensive strategic partnership treaty signed in June 2024 and confirming ongoing military and economic cooperation, including North Korean troop deployments and weapons transfers to support Russia's war in Ukraine.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
North Korea and Russia signed a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty during Putin's state visit to Pyongyang in June 2024, which includes provisions for mutual military assistance without delay if either party is attacked.
SEOUL, Sept. 15 (Yonhap) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has vowed to expand and deepen "joint work" with Moscow in a message to Russian President Vladimir Putin, state media reported Tuesday, amid the two nation's strengthening military and economic ties.
Kim expressed his "deep" thanks to Putin in a reply to the Russian president's recent congratulatory message marking North Korea's 78th founding anniversary that fell on Sept. 9, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
North Korea's will remains "firm without doubt to expand and deepen the joint work with the Russian Federation in a comprehensive way ... based on the tradition of friendship, good neighborliness and mutual aids and the firm relations of alliance between the two countries," the letter showed.
He did not specify what the "joint work" meant, but it appeared to point to deepening military and economic cooperation between North Korea and Russia.
The North's leader said the two countries were continuously "writing a new biography of the great history of alliance" in the face of an "uneven historical storm" and promised unwavering support for Russia in its war against Ukraine, the KCNA showed.
North Korea and Russia signed the comprehensive strategic partnership treaty during Putin's state visit to Pyongyang in June 2024. The treaty calls for providing military assistance "without delay" if either side comes under attack.
Pyongyang has sent thousands of troops and conventional weapons to Russia to help support its war against Ukraine.
What to Watch
AI outlook โ possibilities, not facts
North Korea will continue to supply military equipment and personnel to Russia in support of its war in Ukraine.
Likely ยท Within months
The North Korea-Russia strategic partnership will deepen further through additional economic and military agreements.
Possible ยท Within months
Open Questions
- What specific forms of military and economic cooperation are being expanded under the 'joint work'?
- How many North Korean troops have been deployed to Russia and in what capacity?
- What types of conventional weapons has North Korea supplied to Russia for use in Ukraine?
