Kim Jong Un backs Russia’s “sacred war” in Ukraine, deepens military ties

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has reaffirmed Pyongyangs support for Russias invasion of Ukraine vowing to help Moscow achieve victory in its sacred war state media reported on MondayPyongyang has sent missiles munitions and thousands of troops to assist Russia in Ukraine and analysts say Moscow is sending financial aid military technology food and energy to the diplomatically isolated country in returnA string of highlevel Russian officials have visited North Korea in recent days with Defence Minister Andrey Belousov meeting Kim on Sunday according to official statementsNorth Korea will as ever fully support the policy of the Russian Federation to defend the national sovereignty territorial integrity and security interests Kim told Belousov according to the Korean Central News Agency KCNAKim expressed belief that the Russian army and people would surely win a victory in the just sacred war KCNA reported Both sides said their delegations had discussed deeper military ties with Belousov saying Moscow was ready to sign a cooperation plan covering the period from 2027 to 2031Kim Belousov and Russian parliamentary speaker Vyacheslav Volodin also attended the opening ceremony of a memorial complex honouring North Korean soldiers killed in UkraineIn a speech Kim paid tribute to their unrivalled bravery mass heroism indomitable fighting spirit and noble sacrifice KCNA said He took part in a ceremony to bury the war dead recalling their last heroic moments and covering the remains of a soldier with earth The inauguration also included a concert a fireworks display and an air force flyover KCNA reportedThe audience were moved by portrayals of lifeanddeath bloody battles and deathdefying handtohand fights and heroic suicidal explosions the young soldiers chose without hesitation it saidNorth Korea and Russia signed a military treaty in 2024 obligating both states to provide military assistance without delay in the event of an attack on the otherBrilliant war resultsThe opening of the memorial coincides with the first anniversary of Moscows recovery of parts of Kursk a region in Russia where Ukraine launched a major counteroffensive starting in mid2024North Korean soldiers were deployed in the area to help beat back the Ukrainian advanceIn his meeting with Belousov Kim hailed the brilliant war results in liberating Kursk according to KCNA Russian President Vladimir Putin praised the extraordinary bravery and genuine devotion of North Korean troops in a letter to Kim that was published by KCNA Seoul estimates about 2000 North Koreans have been killed in the Ukraine warNorth Korean troops are said to have been instructed to kill themselves rather than be captured in battle Only two North Korean soldiers have been taken alive and are currently in custody of Ukrainian authoritiesOlive branch shunnedIn contrast with its ties with Russia North Korea has called South Korea its most hostile adversary despite Seouls efforts at engagementSouth Korean President Lee Jae Myung said on Monday that it was the destiny of both the South and the North to make the flowers of peace bloom He vowed to act proactively to restore trust with Pyongyang adding We hope the North will trust the sincerity of our government and respond in kindLees comments marked the anniversary of the 2018 interKorean summit at which Kim and South Koreas thenpresident Moon Jaein memorably crossed into the other countrys territoryThe summit yielded a declaration to work towards an official end to the Korean War but was later suspended as bilateral tensions rose againThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever