Pyongyang: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has pledged to strengthen military cooperation with Russia, calling the relationship a “non-stop” advance built on shared struggle and bloodshed. His remarks come amid deepening ties between the two nations, both under increasing Western pressure over war and sanctions.
Speaking at a ceremony in Russia’s Kursk region to inaugurate a memorial honoring North Korean soldiers who fought alongside Soviet troops during World War II, Kim described the bond between Pyongyang and Moscow as a “brotherly alliance.” He said the friendship had been “forged in precious blood” and would continue to expand despite “domination and tyranny” from hostile powers.
The event was widely viewed as a symbolic gesture underscoring the growing partnership between North Korea and Russia. Over the past year, both countries have openly strengthened military and political cooperation, signing a mutual defense pact that commits them to assist each other if attacked.
According to South Korean intelligence reports, more than 10,000 North Korean troops are believed to have been deployed to support Russia’s war in Ukraine, with around 2,000 reportedly killed in combat. Western nations accuse Pyongyang of supplying artillery shells, ballistic missiles, and other ammunition to Moscow in violation of United Nations sanctions claims both countries deny.
Analysts say Kim’s remarks reflect North Korea’s growing alignment with Russia as the two nations seek to counterbalance Western influence. For Pyongyang, the alliance offers access to advanced military technology and economic relief; for Moscow, it provides additional manpower and resources for its military operations in Ukraine.
The memorial ceremony also carries domestic significance for Kim, serving as a message to North Koreans that their country stands shoulder-to-shoulder with a global power. It reinforces his narrative of resistance against Western powers and projects an image of North Korea as an equal military partner on the world stage.
However, the partnership also risks further isolating Pyongyang internationally. Western governments have condemned the growing military cooperation as a violation of global arms embargoes and warned of additional sanctions.
As Kim vows to push ahead “without interruption,” the North Korea-Russia alliance is becoming one of the most closely watched geopolitical developments of the year, with potential implications for security not only in Europe but across East Asia as well.