DPRK strengthens alliance with Russia during 2025 Victory Day events
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DPRK officials attend Victory Day celebrations in Pyongyang and Moscow, expressing support for Russia’s military and honoring shared wartime history, as ties between the two nations deepen.
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Military troops stand in formation in Red Square before the Victory Day military parade in Moscow, Russia, on May 9, 2025, during celebrations of the 80th anniversary of the Societ Union's victory over Nazi Germany during World War II. (Alexey Maishev/AP)
Russian President Vladimir Putin exchanged brief remarks with Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) soldiers on Friday following the Victory Parade in Moscow, extending congratulations and support on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory in World War II.
“Best wishes to all your fighters,” Putin said, addressing the DPRK troops present in Red Square.
As Moscow marked Victory Day, DPRK leader Kim Jong Un paid a visit to the Russian Embassy in Pyongyang, where he conveyed congratulations to the Russian people and reaffirmed his position on deepening strategic ties with Russia.
"Comrade Kim Jong Un, together with his dearest daughter and leading cadres of the Party and the state, visited the Russian embassy in Pyongyang to warmly congratulate the day of the great victory of the fraternal Russian people with excellent sincerity," DPRK Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui stated, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
He reiterated his commitment to further developing what he called "the invincible alliance" between Pyongyang and Moscow.
🔥🇷🇺🇰🇵PICTURED: PUTIN MEETS WITH NORTH KOREAN TROOPS AFTER PARADE
— Sputnik (@SputnikInt) May 9, 2025
President Putin shared a touching moment with North Korean military on Red Square.
DPRK troops recently helped Russian forces liberate the Kursk region from Ukrainian neo-Nazi battalions. pic.twitter.com/BdpF9XNkyD
DPRK defense minister pledges unwavering support to Russian army
During a reception hosted by the Russian Embassy in Pyongyang, DPRK Defense Minister No Kwang Chol declared full support for Russia’s current military actions, stressing the DPRK's solidarity in defending sovereignty and international justice.
Last week, the DPRK confirmed it had deployed troops to Ukraine to fight alongside Russian forces under Kim Jong Un's orders, claiming that its forces helped Russia regain control of the Kursk region from Ukrainian forces.
At the time, the Central Military Commission of the DPRK's Workers' Party hailed the victory as a testament to the "strategic militant friendship" between the DPRK and Russia, reflecting their comprehensive strategic partnership.
Kim Jong Un described the troops as heroes defending their homeland, emphasizing the DPRK’s honor in maintaining its alliance with Russia. Analysts see this confirmation as a signal of Kim's support for Putin, with an upcoming summit likely to strengthen their bond.
On a related note, Ukrainian officials estimate 14,000 DPRK troops were deployed, with 3,000 reinforcements, despite initial losses, and South Korean authorities confirmed the DPRK also supplied Russia with artillery and missiles.
The US condemned the deployment, stating it violated UN resolutions, while South Korea labeled it a "criminal act."
According to KCNA, No Kwang Chol said Pyongyang’s armed forces would “unwaveringly support the actions of the Russian army aimed at protecting the sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of the country.”
The reception was held on the evening of May 8 and attended by senior DPRK officials, including Vice-Chairman of the Central Military Commission Pak Jong Chon, Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui, and No Kwang Chol himself.
Honoring Soviet victory and shared historical memory
In his address, the defense minister paid tribute to the generation of Soviet fighters who secured victory in what is referred to as the Great Patriotic War.
He emphasized that the Soviet triumph was not only a defense of Russian dignity but also a defining moment for global peace.
“Russia's victory in the Great Patriotic War not only protected the honor and dignity of the country and saved humanity from destruction, but also became a historical event that had a huge impact on the establishment of freedom and peace throughout the world,” KCNA quoted him as saying.
