N Korea, Russia bound in ‘blood’ of war, Kim tells Putin in New Year note

Al Jazeera DiplomaticNews ReportEN 2 min read 75% complete by David D. LeeDecember 27, 2025 at 02:40 AM

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AI Summary

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In New Year's greetings exchanged in late December 2025, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin hailed the strengthened ties between their countries. Kim stated that the relationship had been solidified through shared experiences in the Ukraine war, referring to "sharing blood, life and death in the same trench." Putin's earlier message praised North Korean troops' "heroic" role in Russia's Kursk region. Kim described the relationship as a "precious common asset" that should be carried forward. Intelligence agencies report that North Korea deployed thousands of troops to support Russia in Ukraine, a claim North Korea confirmed in April, acknowledging combat deaths.

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Key Claims (5)

AI-Extracted

North Korea confirmed that its soldiers had been killed in combat in Ukraine.

factual — North Korea100% confidence

North Korea officially confirmed in April that it had deployed troops to support Russia’s military campaign against Ukraine.

factual — North Korea100% confidence

Putin praised the heroic role played by Pyongyang’s troops in Russia’s western Kursk region.

quote — President Putin100% confidence

Kim Jong Un said North Korea's ties with Russia had been strengthened through sharing blood, life and death in the Ukraine war.

quote — Kim Jong Un100% confidence

South Korean and Western intelligence agencies say North Korea deployed thousands of troops to support Moscow in its war against Ukraine.

factual — South Korean and Western intelligence agencies90% confidence

Claims are automatically extracted and should be independently verified. Attribution indicates the stated source of the claim.

Keywords

ukraine war 100% north korea russia relations 90% kim jong un 80% military support 70% vladimir putin 70% bilateral ties 60% troops deployment 60% shared experience 50%