Putin Set to Expand Russian Relations With North Korea

In a letter to his counterpart Kim Jong un on Pyongyang’s liberation day, the Russian President said expanded relations would be in both countries’ interests.

An exchange between the two Presidents was reported by the North Korean state media outlet KCNA.

According to the report, Mr. Kim wants the “comradely friendship” to be strengthened, building on the relationship between the two nations that was forged in World War II, with the victory over Japan.

Mr. Kim also suggested that Russia-North Korea relations could reach a new high in terms of strategic and tactical cooperation, support, and solidarity, with a view to  “frustrating the hostile forces’ military threat and provocation”.

The term “hostile forces” has been used repeatedly by North Korea to refer to the United States and its allies.

In July 2022, North Korea officially recognized two Russian-backed separatist territories in eastern Ukraine after Russia signed a decree declaring their independence. In reaction to Pyongyang’s stance, Ukraine severed all diplomatic relations with North Korea.