Kim Jong Un Expresses Full Support for Putin's Policies Amid Strengthening Ties
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has expressed his full support for the policies and decisions of Russian President Vladimir Putin, signaling a notable strengthening of ties between Pyongyang and Moscow.
The state-run North Korean news agency reported that Kim referred to his relationship with Putin as "the most precious," emphasizing his commitment to stand by Russia, which he described as a choice that would be "steady and permanent."
This announcement coincides with reports from South Korean and Western intelligence agencies, which indicate that North Korea has been sending thousands of soldiers and weapons to assist the Russian military in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which has been ongoing for nearly four years.
Additionally, North Korea has ramped up its missile testing to enhance its precision capabilities and assess weaponry for potential export to Russia.
In reciprocation, Russia has been offering various forms of support to North Korea, including financial assistance, military technology, food supplies, and energy resources, as part of their efforts to bolster bilateral relations.
In New Year messages exchanged between the two leaders, Kim characterized the cooperation between North Korea and Russia as rooted in "blood and life and death" during wartime, while Putin praised their "invincible friendship."
Analysts suggest that this deepening military and economic partnership between Russia and North Korea could significantly alter the regional and international balance of power, complicating the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
