North Korean leader expresses 'pride' to Putin over strong ties between their countries

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un told Russian President Vladimir Putin that he is “proud” of the strong ties between their two countries, according to state media on Sunday, as Pyongyang has emerged as one of Moscow’s key supporters in its war against Ukraine.

Analysts say that since Russia invaded its neighbor Ukraine in 2022, North Korea has become a key ally of the Kremlin, supplying Russian troops with soldiers and ammunition in exchange for economic benefits and military technology.

In a message to Putin published by the Korean Central News Agency, Kim said, “I am always proud to be able to foresee a more distinguished future for bilateral relations through my leadership, alongside you, for the relations between the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and Russia, which have advanced through a history of shared struggle.”

Putin had sent a message to Kim on Friday marking the anniversary of Korea’s liberation from Japanese colonial rule at the end of World War II, in which he described the ties between the two countries as having reached an “unprecedented high level of comprehensive strategic partnership.”

The Russian president said, “Our states are cooperating effectively across all sectors, with joint efforts to ensure regional security and stability.”

The exchange of messages comes after Ukraine accused Moscow this month of using North Korean ballistic missiles in an attack that killed at least nine Ukrainians and injured dozens.

Kyiv has also recently stated that up to 50,000 North Korean soldiers are set to be deployed to Russia, although it has not provided evidence to support this claim.

In connection with this allegation, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has asked Seoul to supply his country with air defense systems to protect against Russian missiles, but he has not yet received a response from South Korea.