Just yesterday, North Korea’s Kim Jong Un met with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin in Beijing. This meeting is a promising indication of the warming ties between North Korea and Russia. Accompanied by his daughter, Kim Ju Ae, Kim participated in a series of discussions at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse following a military parade in central Beijing. This event marked the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, including Japan’s surrender.
The location of the meeting is also telling, and underscores the increasing closeness in relations between Moscow and Pyongyang. Notably, the DPRK’s Kim Jong Un touted the depth of their collaboration. He claimed it has “considerably deepened” since the two countries signed a strategic relationship agreement in June 2024. Ever since Putin’s visit to Pyongyang in July, this new relationship has dramatically intensified. During that time, he signed a treaty to upgrade their relations to a level of “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.”
This marks the fourth time Kim Jong Un has met with Vladimir Putin in total, including this most recent summit. After a ceremonial welcome, the two leaders rode to their meeting in the same vehicle, further demonstrating their access and chemistry.
During the negotiations, Putin spoke highly of the North Korean soldiers as courageous and heroic fighters. These soldiers served in direct and immediate defense of Russian troops against a Ukrainian invasion of the Kursk border district. In a display of fatherly unity, Kim Jong Un received their families’ soldiers. These soldiers paid the ultimate price serving Russia’s cause in fighting against Ukraine. He expressed his condolences, stating he felt “grief at having failed to save the precious lives.”
“If there’s anything I can do for you and the people of Russia, if there is more that needs to be done, I will consider it as a fraternal duty, an obligation that we surely need to bear, and will be prepared to do everything possible to help.” – Kim Jong Un
Analysts believe that North Korea’s participation in propping up Russia’s military efforts can be returned with advanced Russian military technology. According to recent reports, Pyongyang may even be able to obtain such critical items as satellite navigation systems. This acquisition would all but complete its missile program.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump stole the thunder in international response to the meeting. He even hinted that there were international conspiracies for the express purpose of sabotaging the United States. He quipped, “Please give my warmest regards to Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un, as you conspire against The United States of America.”
Kremlin aides immediately tried to assuage fears over the potential consequences of such a union. They explained, “Nobody even had this in their mind,” indicating that the team-up wasn’t intended to specifically endanger U.S. interests.
