Xi and Putin Pledge Stronger Strategic Ties with North Korea on National Founding Anniversary

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin sent congratulatory messages to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to mark the 78th anniversary of the country's founding on September 9. According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), both leaders vowed to strengthen strategic relations with Pyongyang. Xi Jinping stated that China remains committed to developing bilateral ties and noted that Kim has achieved development successes in economic and social construction. Vladimir Putin pledged to consolidate the comprehensive strategic partnership, asserting that such ties contribute to regional security and the establishment of a multipolar world order.

North Korean state media reported that Kim also received messages from the leaders of Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Mongolia, Sweden, Belarus, Switzerland, Zimbabwe, Singapore, and Equatorial Guinea. The messages were featured on the front page of Rodong Sinmun, the newspaper of the ruling Workers Party.

While most reports focused on the diplomatic messages, one center leaning source provided additional context regarding the military relationship between Russia and North Korea. This report noted that the two nations formalized a strategic partnership treaty in 2024 including a mutual defense provision. It further cited Ukrainian and Western officials who claim Pyongyang has supplied ballistic missiles and artillery to Moscow, and that North Korea has sent approximately 14,000 troops to fight in Kursk Oblast, with over 6,000 of those soldiers killed.