Kim Jong Un threatens “US and Western servants”: if you attack Russia, I will order the usage of the DPRK's armed forces

"If U.S. and Western minions with their cheap, defective weapons do not quit dangerous military plans to attack our fellow state – the Russian Federation – and effort again, I will not hesitate to order the usage of the DPRK's armed forces. This will be done in accordance with the spirit and provisions of the Korean-Russian Treaty. I consider this to be our sacred work as a brother and comrade in arms," quotes North Korean leader Central Telegraph Agency of Korea.

Kim Jong Un besides justified North Korea's participation in the war against Ukraine on the side of Russia, calling it the exercise of a sovereign right to defend an ally. "The best sons of the Korean people, responding to the orders of their Homeland and recognizing the territory of their ally as theirs, shoulder-to-shoulder with the Russian army fought in 1 trench and the price of blood defeated the common enemy," he stated, adding that "the Government of the DPRK is closely observing Kiev's crazy behavior".

The activation of military-political relations between Moscow and Pyongyang became peculiarly apparent after Vladimir Putin's visit to North Korea in June 2024. The leaders of both countries then signed a strategical partnership agreement that was ratified in the autumn. The paper provides that, in the event of an armed attack on 1 of the parties, an ally is obliged to immediately assist, both military and other, all available means.

Participation of North Korean soldiers in the war in Ukraine

South Korean intelligence has previously reported that the DPRK has sent about 15,000 soldiers to participate in the fighting against the Armed Forces of Ukraine on the territory of the Kursk region. According to Seoul data, at least 4000 North Korean soldiers were killed or injured – among others due to insufficient preparation for the modern war. Moscow and Pjongjang have long failed to confirm this information, but in April North Korea officially admitted to participating in the war on the part of Russia.

Moreover, as Reuters informs, North Korea presently supplies about half the ammunition An artillery Russian army needed to proceed the war. According to agency estimates, in any branches the dependency on deliveries from North Korea is 100 percent.

In this context, in April, Russian president Dmitry Pieskov stated that Moscow is ready to send Russian troops to aid the DPRK if it is in danger.