Russian President Vladimir Putin praised the strength of bilateral relations with Pyongyang, describing them as an “invincible friendship,” in an official New Year’s message to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. This message underscores the deepening military and political alliance between the two countries amidst global geopolitical tensions.
Brotherhood in struggle on the battlefields
According to state media reports on Thursday, Putin praised the pivotal role played by North Korean soldiers in supporting the Russian war effort against Ukraine. The Russian president used the term “combat brotherhood” to describe the field cooperation, explicitly referring to what he called the “heroic entry” of Korean People’s Army soldiers into the battles in Russia’s Kursk region, as well as the engineering and logistical support provided by Pyongyang on Russian soil.
South Korean and Western intelligence agencies estimate that Pyongyang sent more than 10,000 troops to Russia during 2024, backed by massive quantities of ammunition and long-range missile systems, reflecting a qualitative shift in the nature of the conflict.
Activating the comprehensive strategic partnership
In his message, Putin affirmed that the provisions of the “Historic Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership,” signed during his rare visit to Pyongyang last June, have entered into force thanks to joint efforts. This treaty marks a turning point in relations between the two countries since the collapse of the Soviet Union, as it includes an explicit clause on mutual defense obligating each party to provide immediate military assistance by all available means in the event of armed aggression against the other.
Geopolitical dimensions and a new world order
This relationship goes beyond mere immediate military cooperation. Putin emphasized that the strong alliance between Moscow and Pyongyang would directly contribute to "establishing a just multipolar world order," a clear reference to Russia's efforts to break Western hegemony. Observers believe this rapprochement serves the interests of both sides. While Moscow needs manpower and ammunition to weaken Ukraine, North Korea seeks advanced military technology and economic and food support to mitigate the impact of international sanctions.
The human cost and regional repercussions
Despite the celebratory rhetoric, the alliance has come at a heavy price. Intelligence reports from Seoul indicate that approximately 2,000 North Korean soldiers have been killed in the fighting. Pyongyang has implicitly acknowledged these losses, with state media publishing images of leader Kim Jong Un comforting the families of fallen soldiers and embracing those returning from the front, speaking of “unbearable pain.”.
This cooperation has cast a shadow over security in East Asia, as South Korea has earlier hinted at the possibility of revising its policy of prohibiting the supply of weapons to conflict zones, suggesting the possibility of providing military support to Kyiv in response to its northern neighbor's involvement in the war, further complicating the international landscape.
