North Korean leader Kim Jong Un speaks at the Russian Embassy in Pyongyang, May 9, 2025. (KCNA)
North Korea’s decision to send troops and weapons to support Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is part of a “sacred mission” to counter U.S. influence around the world, according to state-run media.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un made the remarks Friday during a visit to the Russian Embassy in Pyongyang, in a speech marking Victory Day, the Russian holiday commemorating the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II, the Korean Central News Agency reported Saturday.
Kim said North Korea and Russia have “dedicated their blood and lives to defending and supporting each other” for over 80 years and that he was proud to continue that tradition.
He compared U.S. support for Ukraine with its backing of South Korea, calling both nations “faithful lackeys” of Washington, according to KCNA.
Kim echoed Russian claims about the invasion of Ukraine, describing it as a military operation to liberate Kyiv from “neo-Nazi occupiers.” He praised North Korean troops fighting alongside Russian forces, calling them “the most excellent sons of the Korean people.”
Kim’s troops reportedly helped reclaim Russian territory in Kursk that Ukrainian troops had seized last year.
“All these proud sons of our Korean people, who were involved in the Kursk operations, are heroes and supreme representatives of honor of this country, I think,” he said. “They proved the durability of the Korea-Russia alliance at the cost of their blood, demonstrating the highest strategic level of the strong militant friendship, alliance and fraternal relations between the peoples of the two countries.”
KCNA briefly acknowledged on April 28 that North Korea had deployed troops to Russia. Two days earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s office confirmed their presence.
The U.S. and South Korean militaries said North Korea had sent 10,000 to 12,000 troops to Russia by sea since October.
U.S. and South Korean intelligence agencies have also reported that North Korea has shipped weapons, including short-range ballistic missiles and artillery shells, to Russia since 2023.
In a televised speech Saturday, Putin thanked North Korean troops who “conscientiously performed tasks” in the Kursk region with “courage and heroism,” according to a transcript posted on Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Sunday he plans to travel to Turkey on Thursday to discuss a possible ceasefire deal with Putin, according to a video posted on his social media accounts.
“We are ready to talk, to end this war,” he said. “President Trump has expressed support. All the leaders support this.”
