North Korea promises full military support to Russia, calls it a ‘brotherly obligation’

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said his country would “fully support” Russia’s military as a “fraternal duty,” while Russian President Vladimir Putin described ties between the two nations as “special.” The comments, reported by state media KCNA on Thursday, underscore the close political and strategic alignment between Pyongyang and Moscow.

Kim and Putin held a meeting on Wednesday on the sidelines of China’s celebrations to mark the formal surrender of Japan in World War Two in Beijing.

The pair flanked Chinese President Xi Jinping at a massive military parade for the first such gathering of the three countries’ leaders since the early days of the Cold War.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un shakes hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin as they attend a ceremony to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two in Beijing, China.

Kim’s Beijing trip offered his first-ever chance to meet Putin and Xi together, as well as mingle with the more than two dozen other national leaders who attended the events.

State media photos showed Kim standing or walking with Putin and Xi side by side with a smile.

“Comrade Kim Jong Un and President Putin exchanged candid opinions on important international and regional issues,” KCNA said.

Putin “highly praised” North Korean soldiers fighting against Ukraine and said the two countries’ relations are “special ones of trust, friendship and alliance”, KCNA added.

North Korea has sent soldiers, artillery ammunition and missiles to Russia to support Moscow in its war against Ukraine.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un meets Russian President Vladimir Putin in Beijing, China. – Reuters
South Korea’s intelligence agency estimated this week that some 2,000 North Korean soldiers sent to fight for Russia have been killed.

It believes North Korea plans to deploy another 6,000 troops, with about 1,000 combat soldiers already in Russia.

Kim and Putin discussed in detail the long-term plans for partnership and reaffirmed their “steadfast will” to elevate bilateral relations to a high level, according to KCNA.

Last year, the two leaders signed a mutual defence treaty, which calls for each side to come to the other’s aid in case of an armed attack.