North Korea Reaffirms Alliance with Russia, Marks First Anniversary of Defense Treaty

North Korea and Russia commemorated the first anniversary of their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership treaty, with North Korea's Rodong Sinmun newspaper highlighting the alliance's "absolute solidity" and the two countries' cooperation in various areas. The treaty, signed last year, calls for mutual defense in case one party is attacked, and North Korea has already deployed troops to support Russia in the war against Ukraine. The recent decision by Kim Jong-un to send additional troops and workers to Russia's Kursk region further solidifies the alliance and may lead to increased North Korean labor exports to Russia.

Key Takeaways:

• North Korea has reaffirmed its "absolute solidity" of alliance with Russia on the first anniversary of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership treaty.
• The treaty, signed by Kim Jong-un and Vladimir Putin, calls for mutual defense in case one party is attacked.
• North Korea has deployed around 14,000 troops to Russia's side in the war against Ukraine between October last year and February this year.
• Kim Jong-un has reportedly decided to send 5,000 military construction workers and 1,000 sappers to Russia's Kursk frontline region for mine removal and war recovery.
• The Rodong Sinmun newspaper highlighted growing cooperation between the two countries in the economy, diplomacy, education, public health, and the arts.
• North Korean media have not reported the decision to send additional troops and workers to Kursk, but an official at South Korea's unification ministry believes it was driven by economic and strategic considerations.
• The decision may lead to an increase in North Korean labor exports to Russia at a time when exports to China remain sluggish.

Statistics:

• 14,000: Number of North Korean troops deployed to Russia's side in the war against Ukraine between October last year and February this year.
• 5,000: Number of North Korean military construction workers reportedly sent to Russia's Kursk frontline region for mine removal and war recovery.
• 1,000: Number of North Korean sappers reportedly sent to Russia's Kursk frontline region for mine removal and war recovery.
• 6 years: The number of years since North Korea and Russia signed a mutual defense treaty in 2019 (before this current treaty was signed in June 2024).

Sources:

• Yonhap News Agency (19 Jun 2025): North Korea on Thursday underscored the "absolute solidity" of its alliance with Russia.
• Rodong Sinmun newspaper: Highlighted the alliance's "absolute solidity" and growing cooperation between the two countries.
• Yonhap News Agency (16 Jun 2025): Kim Jong-un held talks with Russia's Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu in Pyongyang, where Russian media reported Kim had decided to send additional troops and workers to Kursk.
• South Korea's unification ministry: Assessed the North likely decided on the additional troop deployment to gain more rewards from Russia in exchange for its military support.