In a notable gesture, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has extended birthday wishes to Russian President Vladimir Putin, referring to him as his “closest comrade.”
As a show of goodwill, Kim congratulated Putin on his 72nd birthday and expressed hope that their nations’ relationship would reach new heights.
The relationship between Pyongyang and Moscow has intensified following the onset of the Ukraine conflict, raising concerns in Western capitals.
Kim declared on Tuesday that Pyongyang would step up its efforts to position the country as a military superpower with nuclear weapons.
Kim Jong-un has lauded the relationship between North Korea and Russia, describing it as “invincible and eternal,” following President Putin’s visit to Pyongyang in June, as reported by Yonhap News, citing North Korean state media KCNA.
“The gatherings and bonds of camaraderie among us are poised to significantly enhance the enduring foundation of the friendship between the DPRK and Russia,” he stated, using North Korea’s official designation, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
In a significant development earlier this year, leaders Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un formalized an agreement that commits both nations to provide mutual assistance in the face of any perceived “aggression.” However, the specifics of what defines such aggression remain ambiguous.
Kim faces allegations of providing weapons to Russia in its conflict with Ukraine, purportedly in return for economic and technological support.
There has been growing evidence that Russia has been deploying North Korean missiles in Ukraine.
Jeffrey Lewis, a director at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies, previously stated that both Kim and Putin are “attempting to alleviate the impact of international sanctions by establishing an alternative network of allies and partners outside the scope of US sanctions.”
In September 2023, Kim’s visit to Russia saw Putin extend an offer of assistance to North Korea in developing its satellite technology, following a series of unsuccessful launch attempts by Pyongyang.
On Tuesday, a South Korean lawmaker reported that the military in Seoul had identified potential indications of North Korea initiating the construction of a nuclear-powered submarine.
According to Korea’s intelligence agency, Representative Kang Dae-sik reported that construction remains in its preliminary phases, emphasizing the necessity for additional verification regarding its potential nuclear capabilities.
