North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has pledged unwavering support for Russia’s war in Ukraine, affirming a deepening military alliance between Pyongyang and Moscow, according to North Korean state media.
The commitment came during a visit by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to North Korea, aimed at strengthening the defense pact signed last year by Kim and Russian President Vladimir Putin. According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim stated that North Korea would “unconditionally support and encourage” all actions taken by Russia to address what Moscow claims is the root cause of the conflict in Ukraine.
Russia continues to insist that the war was provoked by anti-Russian sentiment in Ukraine, citing demands that Kyiv demilitarize, oust President Volodymyr Zelensky, and abandon its pursuit of NATO membership. Ukraine has firmly rejected these demands, calling them unacceptable and viewing them as a pretext for further Russian aggression.
Lavrov hailed the alliance as an “invincible fighting brotherhood,” expressing gratitude for North Korea’s military support, which Russian media claims includes more than 12,000 troops. These forces reportedly aided in recapturing the Kursk region after a surprise Ukrainian counteroffensive last summer.
South Korean intelligence suggests that, in addition to troops, North Korea has supplied millions of artillery shells to Russia and may soon send another 30,000 soldiers. Pyongyang has also committed around 6,000 military engineers and builders to assist with reconstruction efforts in war-torn areas like Kursk.
In return, Moscow has reportedly sent advanced military equipment and technology to North Korea. Western officials estimate that around 600 North Korean soldiers have been killed in the conflict, with thousands more wounded.
This deepening military cooperation raises concerns among Western nations about the evolving nature of the Russia–North Korea alliance and its implications for regional and global security.
