North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has praised Russian President Vladimir Putin, celebrating their nations’ “immortal” alliance and expressing unwavering support for Moscow’s global ambitions. In a statement released by the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim wished 73-year-old Putin a happy birthday, commending his “wise leadership” and “patriotic devotion.” The North Korean leader emphasized Russia’s role as a “world power,” highlighting its efforts to “establish a new, multi-polarized world.”
Kim reiterated Pyongyang’s commitment to the June 2024 Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty with Russia, which includes a mutual defense clause. He described the agreement as a “fraternal duty” and affirmed support for Russia’s “just struggle for defending national sovereignty, territorial integrity and security interests.” The leader also vowed that “Pyongyang and Moscow will always stand together,” reinforcing their solidarity.
The treaty, signed amid heightened military cooperation, has seen North Korean forces deployed alongside Russian troops in the Kursk Region to counter Ukrainian operations. Putin has publicly acknowledged Pyongyang’s involvement in what he termed a “joint fight against modern neo-Nazism.”