In a remarkable display of solidarity, Kim Jong-un, the leader of North Korea, has vowed to stand firmly beside Russian President Vladimir Putin. This latest development further solidifies the growing bond between the reclusive North Korean regime and Russia, sparking concerns among the international community.
Marking Russia’s national day, Kim conveyed a resolute message to Putin through the official KCNA news agency, pledging his regime’s unwavering support for Moscow’s controversial invasion of Ukraine.
This endorsement comes at a time when North Korea faces severe sanctions from the United Nations Security Council, with accusations of the country clandestinely supplying weapons to Russia while simultaneously pursuing its own ballistic missile and nuclear weapons programs.
It appears that Russia, facing its own set of challenges and the weight of sanctions, has turned to unconventional sources, including “rogue” nations like North Korea, to sidestep restrictions and acquire the necessary military resources to fuel its 16-month-long conflict in Ukraine.
Kim, who first met Putin in 2019, called for even closer strategic cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow.
In a striking metaphor, he pledged to “firmly hold hands” with the Russian leader, emphasising their shared objective of building a “powerful country.” The statement from Kim, as reported by KCNA, highlights the North Korean leader’s concerted efforts to align his regime’s interests with those of Russia, pointing fingers at the United States and its allies as the culprits behind the Ukrainian war.
These recent developments have raised significant concerns within diplomatic circles, particularly regarding North Korea’s conspicuous overtures towards the Kremlin. In March, the United States accused Russia of dispatching a delegation to North Korea, allegedly offering food assistance to the country in exchange for prohibited weapons—a clear violation of UN sanctions.
In response to Kim’s advances, Putin has reciprocated by calling for strengthened ties between the two nations.
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Last August, in a series of exchanged letters commemorating liberation day, Putin expressed his commitment to expanding “comprehensive and constructive” bilateral relations, with the aim of enhancing security and stability in the Korean peninsula and northeast Asia.
Moreover, in a surprising move in July 2022, North Korea officially recognised two Russian-backed breakaway “people’s republics” in eastern Ukraine as independent states. This recognition has sparked speculations of potential North Korean involvement in construction and other sectors within these regions. Presently, only North Korea and Syria stand in support of the Russian annexations, raising eyebrows worldwide.
As the alliance between North Korea and Russia deepens, the international community closely watches this unexpected partnership, wary of its implications for regional stability and the ongoing Ukrainian conflict.
