North Korea’s Kim Jong Un told Putin their nations shared “blood, life and death” in Ukraine, confirming troop deployments and casualties.
SEOUL: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un emphasised the shared sacrifice with Russia in the Ukraine war in a New Year’s message to President Vladimir Putin.
Kim stated that 2025 was a “really meaningful year” for the bilateral alliance consolidated by “sharing blood, life and death in the same trench.”
The message was published by North Korea’s state-run KCNA news agency on Saturday.
Pyongyang confirmed in April it had deployed troops to support Russia’s military campaign and that its soldiers had been killed.
Earlier this month, North Korea acknowledged sending troops to clear mines in Russia’s Kursk region in August.
Kim said in a December 13 speech that at least nine troops from an engineering regiment were killed during the 120-day deployment.
South Korean and Western intelligence agencies report Pyongyang has dispatched thousands of troops to fight for Moscow.
Kim sent his greetings a day after ordering officials to step up missile production.
Analysts say North Korea’s increased missile testing aims to improve precision, challenge the US and South Korea, and test weapons for export to Russia.
Pyongyang has also sent artillery shells, missiles and long-range rocket systems to Russia.
In return, analysts say Russia is sending North Korea financial aid, military technology, and food and energy supplies.
