October 7, 2026
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un renewed his country’s firm commitment to standing by Moscow, describing Russian military operations in Ukraine as a “holy war,” in a congratulatory message he addressed to Russian President Vladimir Putin on the occasion of his birthday, which reflects the depth of the strategic and growing partnership between the two countries.
On Wednesday, the official Korean Central News Agency quoted Kim as expressing his pride in the good relations between him and the Russian President, and that they opened a new page for developing bilateral relations, stressing his full support for the Russian Federation and his absolute confidence in the victory of the Russian people in their war.
This position comes in light of an accelerating rapprochement and escalating military and political cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow since the outbreak of war in Ukraine in 2022. North Korea has become the Kremlin’s most prominent ally by sending forces to support the Russian war effort, in exchange for potential economic gains and military technology.
In this context, the losses of North Korean forces participating in the fighting were estimated at about 2,000 dead last year, according to estimates by the South Korean intelligence service, while a more recent assessment indicated that the death toll and injuries had risen to about 6,000 soldiers.
On the same phone line, Kim’s message coincides with diplomatic tension between South Korea and Ukraine, following Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s announcement of the handover of two North Korean soldiers captured in battles to Seoul’s custody. South Korea expressed its dissatisfaction with the publicity of this step, which was supposed to remain secret, a development that may complicate Kiev’s efforts to obtain military supplies from Seoul, which adheres to a policy that prohibits providing lethal weapons to countries waging wars. On the other hand, Zelensky warned of Pyongyang’s readiness to send additional military reinforcements to the Russian front.
This direct field involvement of North Korean forces raises serious concern for Seoul, Kiev and their allies, amid real fears that North Korea will acquire advanced military technologies and expertise that will enhance its defensive and offensive capabilities alike.
