Kim Jong Un Pledges Support for Russia and Warns US
Kim Jong Un pledged invariable support for Russia's war in Ukraine and warned the United States against fueling tensions in the Taiwan Strait.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un pledged "invariable support" for Russia in a birthday message to President Vladimir Putin, characterizing the invasion of Ukraine as a "sacred war of justice" and expressing confidence in a Russian victory. This diplomatic gesture reinforces a strategic partnership established by a June 2024 mutual defense pact, under which North Korea provides troops in exchange for military technology and economic benefits. South Korean intelligence estimates that between 2,000 and 6,000 North Korean soldiers have been killed or wounded among the 14,000 to 15,000 deployed to Ukraine since 2024.
Simultaneously, the Government of North Korea condemned the United States for undermining regional stability through arms sales to Taiwan. Specifically, Pyongyang criticized the arrival of the first two F-16V Block 70 fighter jets from a 66-plane order. State media warned that Washington should consider if it is prepared for a "frontal confrontation" with China over Taiwan's security.
These developments coincide with rising tensions between South Korea and Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that two captured North Korean soldiers were transferred to South Korean custody, a disclosure Seoul condemned as a breach of confidentiality. Zelenskyy further suggested that Pyongyang intends to deploy additional troops to support Russian forces.
