Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on May 9, 2025
1 min readLast updated: January 23, 2026
Kim Jong Un defends North Korea's role in the Russia-Ukraine war, citing sovereign rights and a strategic partnership with Russia.
SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said North Korea’s involvement in the Russia-Ukraine war was justified, calling it an exercise of sovereign rights in defence of a “brother nation,” state media KCNA reported on Saturday.
"Our participation in the conflict was just, and it falls within the sovereign rights of our Republic," Kim said, according to KCNA. "I consider all the brave soldiers who participated in the Kursk operation to be heroes and the highest representatives of the nation’s honour," he added.
Kim also said Pyongyang would not hesitate to authorise the use of military force if the United States persists in what he called military provocations against Russia.
North Korea did not officially confirm until late April that it had sent more than 10,000 troops and weapons to Russia as the countries' military ties grew dramatically under a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty signed by Kim and Russian President Vladimir Putin last year.
(Reporting by Heekyong Yang, Jack Kim and Josh Smith; Editing by Leslie Adler)
The article discusses North Korea's justification for its involvement in the Russia-Ukraine war.
Kim Jong Un claims it is an exercise of sovereign rights and part of a strategic partnership with Russia.
North Korea sent over 10,000 troops to Russia and threatens military action against the US.
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