North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un promised "unchangeable support" for Russia in a letter to President Vladimir Putin, calling the war against Ukraine "holy," state media on Tuesday.
Since Moscow launched its invasion of Ukraine in 2022, North Korea has become a key ally for the Kremlin, by sending troops to support Russian war effort in exchange for economic gains and military technology, analysts say.
South Korea estimated that about 2,000 North Korean soldiers lost their lives in the war last year, while a more recent estimate puts the number of wounded or dead at around 6,000.
“Strongly convinced of the victory of the Russian Federation in the current sacred war for the defense of the country’s security interests and international justice, I promise my unwavering support to you, dear friend, and to the fraternal Russian people,” Kim said in the letter, according to the state news agency KCNA.
“My will and that of the government of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is firm, without a doubt, to broaden and deepen the joint work in a comprehensive way,” Kim said, using the official name of the country.
The message comes amid speculation that Pyongyang is ready to send more troops to Russia in its war against Ukraine.
Kiev has also said it is expected to deploy up to 50,000 North Korean troops in Russia, although it has not presented evidence to support this claim nor has it announced a deadline for such reinforcement.
JC (afp and Reuters)
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