North Korean leader Kim Jong-un reaffirms his alliance with Russian President Vladimir Putin, pledging unwavering support for Moscow’s war in Ukraine and calling for a new multi-polar world order amid growing military cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has reiterated his firm commitment to strengthening ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin, declaring that the alliance between Pyongyang and Moscow “will be invariably carried forward in the future.” Kim’s remarks, delivered in a congratulatory letter to Putin on his birthday, underscore the deepening cooperation between the two nations amid Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.
According to the North’s state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim expressed confidence that the alliance between North Korea and Russia, now entering what he described as its “great heyday,” would continue to thrive under their joint leadership. He emphasized that their friendship and “comradely ties” would play a vital role in shaping a “just and multi-polarized world order,” a term often used by both nations to challenge the dominance of Western powers, particularly the United States and its allies.
“I do not doubt that the relations of alliance between the two countries, which have greeted the great heyday, will be invariably carried forward in the future, too, thanks to the warm friendly relations and close comradely ties between us,” Kim’s message stated. “It will make a great contribution to powerfully propelling the comprehensive development of bilateral relations and establishing a just and multi-polarized world order.”
Growing Military Cooperation
Kim’s renewed message of solidarity comes as North Korea and Russia have accelerated military cooperation over the past year. According to South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS), Pyongyang has reportedly sent around 15,000 troops and various types of weaponry to assist Moscow’s military operations in Ukraine since October last year. The growing defense ties have raised alarm across Western capitals, as the collaboration directly challenges international sanctions against both nations.
In his letter, Kim reaffirmed North Korea’s “full support” for what he called Russia’s “just struggle” to defend its national sovereignty—an apparent reference to Moscow’s war in Ukraine. “The DPRK will fully support the just struggle of Russia in defending its sovereignty,” Kim said, echoing his consistent backing of Putin’s military and geopolitical agenda.
Continued Diplomatic Exchange
This expression of solidarity follows an earlier phone conversation between Kim and Putin on August 13, during which the North Korean leader pledged his “full support” for Russia. The phone call, reported by KCNA, marked a significant diplomatic moment as it was the first time North Korea had disclosed details about its leader’s direct communication with a foreign head of state.
During that exchange, Kim expressed his “firm conviction that the DPRK would always remain faithful to the spirit of the DPRK-Russia treaty and fully support all measures to be taken by the Russian leadership in the future.” The treaty, originally signed during the Cold War era, underpins the long-standing alliance between the two countries.
Strategic Alliance Against Western Pressure
Observers say Kim’s latest message reflects the two countries’ shared strategic interest in countering Western influence and sanctions. As both nations face growing international isolation—North Korea for its nuclear weapons program and Russia for its invasion of Ukraine—their partnership serves as a mutual lifeline.
The alliance also highlights an emerging global trend where states facing Western sanctions are banding together to create what they call a “multi-polar world order,” opposing the current system dominated by the United States. Analysts believe that through arms transfers, intelligence sharing, and diplomatic support, Pyongyang and Moscow are reinforcing each other’s strategic positions while challenging the international norms established after World War II.
Symbolism and Global Implications
Kim’s birthday letter to Putin carries symbolic weight beyond personal greetings. It underscores a deep political message of unity and defiance against Western-led global structures. For Moscow, North Korea represents a rare partner willing to openly back its war in Ukraine. For Pyongyang, Russia offers a powerful ally capable of providing technology, food, energy, and political cover amid crippling UN sanctions.
The growing military cooperation between the two authoritarian regimes has drawn condemnation from Washington, Seoul, and Tokyo, which view the partnership as a destabilizing factor in both Eastern Europe and East Asia. Experts warn that continued exchanges between Moscow and Pyongyang could enhance North Korea’s military capabilities, particularly its missile and nuclear programs.
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As the conflict in Ukraine drags on and geopolitical tensions escalate, the Kim-Putin alliance is likely to deepen further. Both leaders appear determined to leverage their partnership to reshape the global order—one that moves away from Western hegemony and toward a system more favorable to their regimes.
