"Your Health and Happiness Wishes" Bitter 70th Birthday for Putin, North Korea's Kim Jong-un Sends 'Congratulatory Message'

Kim Jong-un Sends 'Congratulatory Message' for Putin's 70th Birthday
"A Bittersweet 70th Unlike Previous Years" Amid Russian Military Defeats
Domestic Opinion Shifts Over Mobilization Order and Divisions Within Putin's Inner Circle

On July 31 (local time), Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the Peter and Paul Cathedral in Saint Petersburg before attending the Navy Day ceremony and lit a candle.
[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Sumi] Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, has turned seventy. This birthday comes amid the Ukraine war entering its eighth month, a conflict rapidly turning unfavorable for Russia. As Russia suffers significant military losses and even victory becomes uncertain, divisions have emerged within the leadership. Meanwhile, Kim Jong-un, Chairman of North Korea's State Affairs Commission, sent a congratulatory message to President Putin on his 70th birthday.

On the 7th, Chairman Kim expressed in a congratulatory message released by the Korean Central News Agency, "I sincerely send warm congratulations on your 70th birthday."

He stated, "Today, Russia's crushing of the challenges and threats posed by the United States and its followers, and the firm defense of the nation's dignity and fundamental interests, cannot be separated from your outstanding leadership and strong will."

He also said, "You have held the heavy responsibility of head of state for a long time and have carried out vigorous activities, achieving remarkable results in realizing the grand strategic goal of building a strong Russia, earning high respect and support from the masses." He added, "I hope you remain healthy and happy and achieve great success in your responsible work for Russia's prosperity."

This confirms North Korea's active support of Russia's position in its invasion of Ukraine. North Korea has consistently argued that Russia's invasion of Ukraine is a response to Western hegemonic policies. It has also recognized the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) and Luhansk People's Republic (LPR), pro-Russian separatist entities within Ukraine. Notably, North Korea has recently distanced itself from dialogue with the U.S. and South Korea while aligning closely with China and Russia.

On the other hand, foreign media such as The Economist view President Putin's seventieth birthday as a bitter one unlike previous years. Recently, Ukrainian forces have reclaimed Russian-occupied territories in southern Kherson and eastern Luhansk, shifting the tide of the war. Domestically, resistance to the mobilization of reservists and anti-war sentiment are increasing.

On the 5th (local time), a police officer in Lyman, Donetsk Oblast, eastern Ukraine, is looking at scrapped Russian military armored vehicles. The Ukrainian military recently recaptured Lyman from Russian forces.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Especially as the war situation rapidly turns unfavorable for Russia, divisions appear even within Putin's inner circle. On the 7th (local time), The Washington Post (WP) reported, citing an anonymous U.S. intelligence source, that some members of Putin's inner circle have recently openly expressed disagreements regarding the war situation.

According to the source, a member of the inner circle recently directly raised complaints to President Putin about poor war management and mistakes made by those conducting military operations. The identity of this individual has not been disclosed, but their real name was mentioned in presidential reports by U.S. intelligence agencies. This information was included in President Joe Biden's daily intelligence briefing and shared with some officials, indicating it is considered highly significant.

Furthermore, Ramzan Kadyrov, head of the Chechen Republic and close to Putin, recently strongly criticized Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and the frontline command regarding Russian military defeats. After losing the key eastern town of Lyman to Ukraine on the 1st, Kadyrov demanded that the Lyman regional military command be demoted to private and sent to the front lines.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.