Russian ultranationalist singer “Shaman, “Yaroslav Dronov, performed a song praising North Korea’s dictator Kim Jong-un at a concert in North Korea last week.
The singer reportedly surprised audiences with the new composition, which featured a chorus dedicated to Kim and the North Korean people, at a performance in Pyongyang.
A video recording of the song, which was performed as part of a broader concert by Russian artists in the North Korean capital, was posted on social media.
Shaman chanted “Comrade Kim Jong Un” as he took to the stage at the event celebrating the 80th anniversary of North Korea’s ruling party last Thursday.
It was the singer’s second visit to the DPRK, with Kim reportedly hugging him as he took the stage, as well as issuing a statement of gratitude after the event.
“Comrade Kim Jong-un, Comrade Kim Jong-un, he leads Korea forward,” were some of the lyrics that resounded during the clip. “And in step with him, in step with him, the entire nation marches on.”
In 2024, Brussels sanctioned Dronov over his participation in Kremlin-organized concerts including performances in occupied regions of Ukraine. The measures included an asset freeze and a ban on travel into the EU.
Ruslan Ostashko, the song’s composer, wrote on social media site VK: “It is a great honor for me to hear Russian music being played outside the country and resonating with listeners.”
“Music really has the power to unite people,” Ostashko, who is also under EU sanctions for his support of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, added.
Shaman soared to popularity in Russia after the invasion, hailed domestically for his ultrapatriotic tributes to the Russian nation such as ‘Ya russkiy’ (‘I’m Russian’), which he performed to soldiers near the front line.
“I’m Russian. I’ll fight to the end,” some of the lyrics of the refrain read, alongside “I’m Russian and I’m lucky with this fact/I’m Russian to spite the whole world.”
The song has become something of an unofficial anthem for pro-war Russians. It was even taught in schools in St Petersburg and has been performed repeatedly on state television.
Dronov also penned the song ‘Vstanem’ (‘Let’s Rise’), which celebrates fallen occupying soldiers in the ongoing war and became a hit among Kremlin hardliners.
He was Russia’s representative at the Intervision song contest, Russia’s ill-fated attempt to replace the Eurovision song contest in September.
Created as a socially conservative alternative to Eurovision, from which Moscow has been barred since the invasion, the musical contest promoted “traditional family values” but was dubbed an “instrument of hostile propaganda” by Kyiv.
At the competition, Shaman urged juries to disregard his performance, citing Moscow’s role as host and attributing it to an act of hospitality.
Pyongyang has emerged as one of Moscow’s staunchest allies in the war, supplying missiles, artillery shells, and thousands of troops to bolster the Russian army.
The two have also increased cultural ties, with a recent exhibition of North Korean art, including portraits of Kim, holding pride of place in Moscow’s Museum of Decorative Arts this month.
Moscow has cast itself as a brotherly nation to the hermit kingdom after the pair signed a comprehensive partnership, including mutual defense clauses, in 2024.