North Korea Pledges Full Support for Russia’s ‘Sacred’ War in Ukraine
According to a report by the state news agency KCNA, Kim made this pledge during a high-level meeting with visiting Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov. The North Korean leader expressed his firm belief that the Russian military will achieve a final victory in its struggle to protect the nation's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
During the meeting, the two leaders held detailed discussions on deepening bilateral military cooperation. Belousov announced that Moscow is prepared to sign a long-term joint cooperation plan with Pyongyang spanning from 2027 to 2031. This follows a 2024 mutual defense treaty which mandates that both nations provide immediate military assistance if either is attacked. Analysts suggest that North Korea has already supplied Russia with missiles, vast amounts of ammunition, and thousands of troops in exchange for Russian military technology, fuel, and food aid.
As part of the visit, Kim and Belousov inaugurated a memorial dedicated to North Korean soldiers killed in the Ukraine conflict. The monument marks the first anniversary of the recapture of parts of Russia’s Kursk region from Ukrainian forces. South Korean intelligence estimates that approximately 2,000 North Korean soldiers have been killed in the war so far. In a formal letter, Russian President Vladimir Putin praised these soldiers for their "extraordinary courage and dedication."
Startling reports have also emerged regarding the conduct of North Korean troops on the battlefield. It is alleged that Kim Jong Un issued strict orders for soldiers to commit suicide rather than face capture by enemy forces. As a result of this policy, Ukrainian forces have reportedly been able to take only two North Korean soldiers alive into custody since the deployment began. This deepening alliance continues to raise alarms across Western and regional security circles.
