North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has reiterated his country’s support for Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine, vowing to help Moscow achieve victory in what he described as a “sacred war,” according to state media.
The statement comes as North Korea continues to deepen military cooperation with Russia, reportedly supplying missiles, ammunition and thousands of troops in support of the invasion. In return, Moscow is believed to be providing Pyongyang with financial assistance, military technology, food and energy supplies amid ongoing international sanctions.
The comments were made during a meeting with Russian Defence Minister Andrey Belousov, who visited North Korea on Sunday as part of a series of high-level exchanges between the two countries.
Kim told Belousov that North Korea “will fully support the policy of the Russian Federation to defend its national sovereignty, territorial integrity and security interests,” according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
He also expressed confidence that the Russian military would secure victory in what he called a “just sacred war,” further highlighting the strengthening strategic alignment between the two nations.
Both sides reportedly discussed expanding military cooperation, including a proposed framework agreement covering the period from 2027 to 2031.
During the visit, Kim, Belousov, and Russian parliamentary speaker Vyacheslav Volodin attended the opening of a memorial dedicated to North Korean soldiers killed in the Ukraine conflict. The ceremony featured performances, fireworks, and a military air display.
North Korea and Russia signed a defence pact in 2024, which commits both countries to provide immediate military assistance if either is attacked.
The latest developments come as Moscow marks what it describes as the first anniversary of regaining control of parts of Russia’s Kursk region, where Ukraine launched a counteroffensive in 2024. North Korean troops are reported to have been deployed in the area during the fighting.
South Korean intelligence estimates suggest that around 2,000 North Korean soldiers have been killed in the conflict, with reports indicating strict battlefield instructions discouraging capture, including claims of self-destruction orders.
Only two North Korean soldiers are believed to have been captured alive and are currently held by Ukrainian authorities.
