North Korea will always stand with Russia, leader Kim tells Putin

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un hailed Russian President Vladimir Putin as his “dearest friend” and vowed to deepen Pyongyang-Moscow ties, pledging that the DPRK will “always stand with Russia,” in a Russia Day message reported by state media on 12 June.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un expressed his unwavering support for Russian President Vladimir Putin in a message sent on June 12, as reported by state media. The message, which was part of Russia Day celebrations, a patriotic holiday marking Russia's independence, highlighted Kim's deep respect for Putin, referring to him as his "dearest friend."

Kim praised the strong bilateral ties between the two countries, calling their relationship a "genuine partnership between comrades-in-arms." He emphasized that it is the "unshakable will" of both the North Korean government and himself to continue strengthening the DPRK-Russia relationship, which has weathered numerous historical challenges.

KCNA also reported that Kim had conveyed his congratulations to Putin on Russia Day on June 11. Earlier this year, Pyongyang officially confirmed for the first time that it had sent troops to support Russia in the ongoing war in Ukraine, following months of silence on the matter.

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