Trilateral Strategic Alliance
Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin Pledge Stronger Strategic Ties With North Korea
Anonymous
Key Points
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North Korea’s national founding anniversary commemorates the establishment of the country on Sept. 9, 1948, under Kim Il-sung, Kim Jong-un’s grandfather.
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Xi Jinping referred to his June visit to Pyongyang, saying it opened “a new chapter” in China-North Korea relations and pledging cooperation to advance the two countries’ party and state affairs.
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The messages from Xi and Putin were prominently published on the front page of Rodong Sinmun, the official newspaper of North Korea’s ruling Workers’ Party.
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According to Ukrainian and Western officials cited by The Kyiv Independent, North Korea has supplied Russia with ballistic missiles and artillery ammunition and sent an estimated 14,000 troops to fight alongside Russian forces in Kursk Oblast; officials estimate that more than 6,000 of those troops have been killed.
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KCNA reported that Kim Jong-un also received congratulatory messages from leaders of several other countries, indicating that the anniversary was marked by diplomatic outreach beyond China and Russia.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin sent congratulatory messages to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on September 9, marking the country's 78th founding anniversary. Korea JoongAng Daily reported that Xi described closer China-North Korea ties as a consistent policy and pledged further high-level cooperation, while Putin said Moscow would deepen its strategic partnership with Pyongyang to promote regional security and a multipolar world order.
The messages, published prominently in North Korea's official state media, underscore Pyongyang's deepening diplomatic ties with both Beijing and Moscow. This comes as TASS noted that Russia and North Korea have expanded military cooperation, including a 2024 mutual-defense treaty and North Korean support for Russia's war in Ukraine.
Xi Opens 'New Chapter' in China-North Korea Relations
Xi referenced his June visit to Pyongyang as opening "a new chapter" in China-North Korea relations. Korea JoongAng Daily reported that he pledged cooperation to advance the two countries' party and state affairs. The message emphasized that strengthening ties with North Korea remains a consistent Chinese policy under Xi's leadership.
Putin Signals Commitment to 'Comprehensive Strategic Partnership'
TASS reported that Putin emphasized Russia's intention to deepen its comprehensive strategic partnership with North Korea. He framed the relationship as part of Moscow's broader effort to promote regional security and build a multipolar world order. The message reflected Russia's strategic interest in maintaining strong ties with Pyongyang amid its ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
North Korean Military Cooperation Expands Across Both Powers
Russia and North Korea have significantly deepened military collaboration in recent months. En.Sedaily noted that the two countries signed a mutual-defense treaty in 2024, formally binding their security interests. Beyond treaties, North Korea has provided Russia with ballistic missiles and artillery ammunition to support operations in Ukraine.
The human cost has been steep. Ukrainian and Western officials, cited by The Kyiv Independent, reported that an estimated 14,000 North Korean troops have been deployed to fight alongside Russian forces in Kursk Oblast. Officials estimate that more than 6,000 of those troops have been killed in combat, signaling substantial casualties in Russia's war effort.
Anniversary Marks Broader Diplomatic Outreach for Kim Jong-un
North Korea's 78th founding anniversary, commemorating the establishment of the state on September 9, 1948, under Kim Il-sung, drew diplomatic messages from multiple world leaders. En.Vijesti reported that the messages from Xi and Putin appeared prominently on the front page of Rodong Sinmun, North Korea's official state newspaper. Kim Jong-un also received congratulatory messages from leaders of several other countries, demonstrating Pyongyang's ongoing efforts to maintain diplomatic relationships beyond its primary allies.
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