North Korea's Kim vows to expand ties with Russia

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said he would "expand and deepen" joint work with Russia in a message to Russian President Vladimir Putin, state media KCNA reported on Tuesday.



In a reply sent on Monday to Putin's congratulations for North Korea's 78th founding anniversary, Kim said Pyongyang's government had a firm will to broaden cooperation with Russia "in a comprehensive way" based on friendship, mutual assistance, and what he described as the countries' alliance relations.



Kim also said he was convinced of Russia's victory in the current "sacred war for defending the security interests of the country and international justice", language that appeared to refer to Russia's war in Ukraine.



He pledged his "invariable support" for Putin and the Russian people.



The remarks come as Moscow and Pyongyang have drawn markedly closer, with North Korea sending troops to fight alongside Russian forces in Ukraine in 2024 and deepening military cooperation under a mutual defence pact.