According to analysts, since Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, North Korea has become one of Kremlin’s main allies. They claim that Pyongyang is sending soldiers to Russia’s war in Ukraine in exchange for economic benefits and military technologies.
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“I am always proud to look forward to an even better future of bilateral relations, nurturing the mutual ties between North Korea and Russia with you, which continue the history of joint struggle,” Kim Jong Un wrote in his letter to V. Putin, quoted in English by the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) in its report.
Kim Jong Un added that he “firmly believes” that, “wisely led” by V. Putin, Russia will prosper and defend its “territorial integrity.”
Meanwhile, in a letter presented to Kim Jong Un on Friday to mark Korea’s liberation from Japanese colonial rule at the end of World War II, V. Putin noted that the bilateral relations between the two countries have reached “a high level of strategic partnership, unprecedented.”
“Our states actively cooperate in all areas, making joint efforts to ensure regional security and stability,” the Russian leader wrote.
This exchange of letters took place after Ukraine accused Moscow this month of launching North Korean ballistic missiles during a strike that killed at least nine people and injured dozens more.
Kyiv also recently stated that up to 50,000 North Korean soldiers are being prepared to be sent to Russia, although no evidence or deployment timelines were provided to support this claim.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who made this statement, asked Seoul to provide air defense systems so Kyiv could defend itself against Russian missiles, but South Korea did not respond to this request.
