Kim Jong-un, the Chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea, emphasized on the 14th that relations with Russia are tightening during his speech at the '80th anniversary of national liberation' celebration. He did not mention South Korea, and indirectly criticized the West, including the United States.
Korean Central News Agency reported on the 15th that Kim Jong-un said at the event held the previous day at the Arch of Triumph in Pyongyang, "Today, the Korea-Russia friendly relationship is developing into an unprecedented alliance in history." He added, "It is being solidified in a joint struggle to halt the revival of neo-Nazism and to safeguard sovereignty, security, and international justice," referring to North Korean troops participating in the war in Ukraine.
Kim Jong-un stated, "Korea and Russia are once again creating a history of justice in the struggle for the dignity and sovereignty of our countries and for world peace and stability," and noted that "the power of the Korea-Russia (North-Russia) solidarity, based on noble ideals and genuine friendship, as well as historical traditions supported by blood from revolutions, is boundless."
Kim Jong-un remarked toward the West, "Today, the extreme audacity of imperialists infringing on the rights and interests of sovereign nations on the international stage is more serious than ever."
This is the first time that Kim Jong-un has delivered a public speech on Liberation Day. Attendees at the event included a delegation led by Vyacheslav Volodin, Chairman of the State Duma, and Andrey Marlee, Vice Minister of Culture of Russia, who were invited to North Korea. The event concluded with a performance of the Russian national anthem.
Korean Central Broadcasting reported that Kim Jong-un and President Vladimir Putin exchanged congratulatory messages. The leaders of North Korea and Russia exchange congratulatory messages every year on Liberation Day. Chairman Volodin read aloud the congratulatory message sent by President Putin to Kim Jong-un in front of North Korean residents during the '80th anniversary of national liberation' celebration.
In the congratulatory message, President Putin noted that 80 years ago, North Korea and Russia together ended Japanese colonial rule, stating, "What is important is that the bonds of mutual friendship and combat solidarity, which were strengthened in the days of old telephone communications, remain solid and reliable today."
He continued, "The heroic participation of Korean soldiers in liberating the territory of Kursk from the Ukrainian occupiers has fully confirmed this," and wrote, "The Russian people will forever cherish their bravery and self-sacrifices."
In his reply, Kim Jong-un stated, "The great friendship and unity between our two peoples will be solidly inherited and developed along with the noble spirit of our forebears and the new era of comprehensive development of Korea-Russia relations," and expressed his wish that "may there always be victory and glory for great Russia."