SEOUL: Russia’s President Vladimir Putin touted an “invincible friendship” with North Korea in a New Yr letter to chief Kim Jong Un, state media reported Thursday (Dec 25).
Within the message, acquired in Pyongyang final week, Putin praised the participation of North Korean troopers aiding Moscow’s war effort towards Ukraine, saying it had proved a “militant fraternity” between the 2 nations.
South Korean and Western intelligence businesses have estimated that the North despatched greater than 10,000 troopers to Russia in 2024 – primarily to the Kursk area – together with artillery shells, missiles and long-range rocket methods.
“The heroic entry of troopers of the Korean Individuals’s Military into the battles for liberating the Kursk area from occupiers and the next actions of Korean engineers within the land of Russia clearly proved the invincible friendship,” Putin wrote, in accordance with the official KCNA information company.
He added that the provisions of a “historic treaty on complete strategic partnership” signed throughout his go to to Pyongyang in June final 12 months had been fulfilled “due to our joint efforts”.
The pact features a mutual defence clause pledging instant army help if both nation faces armed aggression.
Sturdy Pyongyang-Moscow ties will “contribute to establishing a simply order of the multi-polar world”, Putin mentioned.
Seoul’s spy company has estimated that round 2,000 North Korean troopers deployed to assist Russia have been killed.
North Korea solely confirmed in April that it had deployed troops to assist Russia’s battle in Ukraine and admitted that its troopers had been killed in fight.
Since then, Kim has met with the households of troopers killed combating for Russia towards Ukraine and supplied condolences for his or her “insufferable ache”.
State media has revealed photos of an emotional Kim embracing a returned soldier who appeared overwhelmed, burying his face within the chief’s chest.
After the Moscow-Pyongyang army deal final 12 months, Seoul – which was underneath the conservative Yoon Suk Yeol administration then – mentioned it may rethink supplying Kyiv with arms, regardless of a home coverage banning such a transfer. However this has not materialised.
