N. Korea's Kim reaffirms commitment to deepening ties with Russia in Victory Day message
Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un hold a meeting at the Diaoyutai State Guest House in Beijing, Sept. 3, 2025. TASS-Yonhap
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un sent a congratulatory message to Russian President Vladimir Putin on Russia's Victory Day celebration, reaffirming Pyongyang's commitment to prioritizing and deepening ties with Moscow, state media reported Saturday.
Kim extended his "sincerest congratulations" on the occasion of the 81st Victory Day and expressed satisfaction with the current "brilliant history of independence, dignity, peace and prosperity" shared by the two countries, according to the North's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
"Reaffirming the stand of the government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to give top priority to and steadily develop the alliance-like comprehensive strategic partnership between our two countries, I affirm once again that we will always faithfully fulfill the obligations under the inter-state treaty between the DPRK and Russia," Kim said, using the North's official name.
In June 2024, Kim and Putin signed a "comprehensive strategic partnership" treaty, effectively reviving the two countries' Cold War-era military alliance.
After the signing, Pyongyang deployed around 15,000 combat troops to support Russia in its war against Ukraine and deepened bilateral cooperation on multiple fronts.
Also Saturday, Russia's acting ambassador to North Korea, Vladimir Topeha, visited the Liberation Tower to pay tribute to Soviet Union soldiers killed during the 1950-53 Korean War, according to the Russian Embassy in North Korea.
His visit, which came on the occasion of Russia's Victory Day, was accompanied by ambassadors from countries with diplomatic missions in the regime, including China, Brazil, Cuba and Vietnam, as well as North Korea's foreign affairs officials, the embassy added.
Pyongyang also sent honor guards and military bands to the event.
The Liberation Tower is a monument built in Pyongyang in 1947 to honor the Red Army from the former Soviet Union that the North claimed helped liberate Korea from Japan's colonial rule.