Beijing: North Korean leader Kim Jong-un expressed gratitude to Russian President Vladimir Putin for commending North Korean troops stationed in Russia during their bilateral meeting on the sidelines of a military parade in Beijing. The meeting took place at the Diaoyutai state guest house following the military parade at Tiananmen Square, which marked the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in 1945.
According to Yonhap News Agency, during their discussions, Putin acknowledged the contributions of North Korean soldiers, highlighting their "brave and heroic" actions in Russia's front-line region of Kursk in the ongoing war against Ukraine. Kim responded by thanking Putin for the recognition and reiterated North Korea's commitment to supporting Russia, viewing it as a "brotherly duty."
Kim further noted the strengthening of relations between the two nations since the signing of a strategic partnership treaty last June, which included a mutual defense pact for immediate military assistance in case of armed aggression. He pledged to continue efforts to assist Russia in all possible ways.
The meeting underscores the increasing collaboration between North Korea and Russia across various sectors, particularly with North Korea's deployment of troops to bolster Russia's military efforts in Ukraine. Since October of the previous year, North Korea has sent approximately 13,000 troops and conventional weapons to aid Russia in the conflict.