Kim Jong Un officially declared the “legitimacy” and “reasonableness” of North Korea’s participation in the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, sparking a new wave of resonance in international circles
The leader of the communist state believes that his country has the full right to support the "brotherly people" of Russia, viewing this as an expression of sovereign rights to defend its interests and strategic partnerships on the global stage. Sources from official agencies, including Reuters, citing North Korea's Central News Agency (KCNA), report that Kim Jong Un explicitly emphasized that North Korea's armed support for Russia in the war against Ukraine is entirely justified from his country's perspective. In his night speech, he directly mentioned the so-called "Kursk operation," which, according to him, is an example of the heroism of North Korean servicemen who actively participated in combat within Russian units. The North Korean leader dedicated laudatory words specifically to these military personnel, calling them "heroes" and "supreme representatives of the nation's honor," highlighting their contribution to defending and supporting Russia in this war. An especially significant element was Kim Jong Un's warning regarding possible military provocations by the United States. He stressed that any attempts by the U.S. to interfere in the conflict or to provoke Russia will be perceived by his country as a serious threat, and in this context, he threatened the use of military force. This increases international tension and sheds new light on North Korea’s growing role in global diplomacy and military conflicts. Background information indicates that Kim Jong Un previously confirmed the deployment of troops to Russia to participate in the war against Ukraine, justifying this decision by the wide-ranging strategic partnership between the two countries, formalized in an agreement on comprehensive strategic cooperation. According to the Ukrainian General Staff, since the beginning of the operation during the Battle of Kursk, Russia has lost over 62,000 troops in relevant combat zones. Ukrainian military leaders also report that a significant number of North Korean soldiers—over 4,500—have been neutralized in this conflict. Analytical reports, including a study by the South Korean Defense Analysis Institute (KIDA), indicate that North Korea’s involvement in the Russian-Ukrainian war has brought its economy at least 20 billion dollars. Experts say this allows Pyongyang to position itself in the global conflict not only as a military actor but also as an economic player seeking to expand its influence and find new sources of funding. Amid these developments, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed on the morning of April 24 that Russian forces launched an attack on Kyiv’s civilian population using a North Korean ballistic missile. According to him, 12 civilians were killed and another 90 wounded of various degrees of severity. This attack further demonstrates that Russian troops are intensifying their use of precision weapons, gaining potentially new and improved experience, and, according to foreign sources, increasing missile accuracy. According to Reuters, citing two high-ranking Ukrainian diplomats who wished to remain anonymous, recent reports indicate a significant improvement in North Korean missile systems used by the Russian army. This is associated with the growing experience and technological development that North Korea is actively applying in the context of the war to modernize its own arsenals. It is believed that the war on Ukrainian soil has become a sort of testing ground for enhancing North Korean weaponry, which finally has a chance to reach a new level of efficiency. Thus, the situation is entering a new phase, intensifying global tensions and raising concerns within the international community. Kim Jong Un openly calls for support for Russia and threatens retaliation against any active U.S. actions, which could influence the course of the conflict. Meanwhile, North Korea’s role in this tragedy increasingly extends beyond the regional sphere, becoming one of the factors of global instability, as its military and economic ambitions receive a new impetus in the context of the Russia-Ukraine war.