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North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has expressed full support for Russia’s military efforts, calling it a “fraternal duty,” according to North Korea’s state media KCNA on Thursday.
Kim made this commitment during discussions with President Vladimir Putin in Beijing, where both leaders attended a grand military parade alongside Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The meeting took place on Wednesday, on the sidelines of China’s celebration marking Japan’s surrender in World War II in Beijing. Kim and Putin also met privately and joined Xi Jinping at the massive military display—the first time since the early Cold War era that the leaders of these three nations gathered in such a setting.
Kim’s visit to Beijing provided his first opportunity to meet both Putin and Xi simultaneously, as well as to interact with over twenty other world leaders present at the event.
Photos released by state media depicted Kim walking and standing alongside Putin and Xi, all smiling.
“Comrade Kim Jong Un and President Putin exchanged frank views on significant global and regional issues,” KCNA reported.
Putin “highly praised” North Korean troops fighting in Ukraine and stated that the relationship between Moscow and Pyongyang is based on “special trust, friendship, and alliance,” KCNA added.
North Korea has supplied soldiers, artillery shells, and missiles to Russia to support its campaign against Ukraine. South Korean intelligence estimates that approximately 2,000 North Korean soldiers fighting for Russia have been killed so far.
It’s believed that North Korea plans to send an additional 6,000 troops, with roughly 1,000 combat-ready soldiers already stationed in Russia.
The two leaders discussed their long-term strategic partnership and reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to strengthening bilateral ties, according to KCNA. Last year, they signed a mutual defense treaty pledging mutual assistance in the event of an armed attack.
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