North Korea deepens military alliance with Russia: Pyongyang confirms continued support for Moscow

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has said he will continue to support the Russian Federation in its war against Ukraine and expand military cooperation between the two countries.

He made the statement during celebrations in Pyongyang marking the completion of a memorial to North Korean soldiers who died fighting on Russia’s side. The event was also attended by a Russian delegation led by Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov.

According to Kim, the DPRK military allegedly “destroyed the aggressors” and helped thwart the “hegemonic ambitions of the United States and the West.” He also stressed that Pyongyang would continue to support Russia in defending its “sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

Military alliance with long-term plans

Recall that in 2024, the Russian Federation and the DPRK signed a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement, which provides for mutual defense obligations. The new agreements, according to Russian media, include a military cooperation program for 2027–2031.

Analysts believe that such steps indicate the formation of a long-term military-political alliance between Moscow and Pyongyang, which may persist even after the end of the active phase of the war.

Participation of the DPRK military in the war

According to estimates by South Korean and Western intelligence agencies, North Korea could have sent about 14,000 troops to Russia, some of whom participated in the fighting in the Kursk region. It is reported that a significant part of these forces could have suffered serious losses.

Earlier, the head of Ukrainian military intelligence, Kirill Budanov, noted that thousands of North Korean military personnel, including special forces units, were stationed on the territory of the Russian Federation.

Economic and technological benefits

In response to Russia’s support, according to experts, the DPRK receives economic assistance, as well as access to military technology. The total benefit to Pyongyang may reach more than $14 billion.

At the same time, according to analytical sources, in 2025 there was a temporary decrease in the supply of weapons from the DPRK to the Russian Federation, which may indicate a revision of cooperation formats or logistical difficulties.

Geopolitical consequences

The strengthening of military interaction between Russia and North Korea is causing concern among Ukraine’s Western allies. Experts emphasize that such an alliance may affect not only the course of the war, but also the global balance of security.