Kim Jong Un Asserts Legitimacy of Troop Dispatch to Russia, Says "Ukrainian Puppets Must Not Be Left Unchecked"

"Deployment Based on Bilateral Treaty... No Issue," Kim Claims
"Leaving Ukraine Unchecked Could Lead Seoul's Military to Imitate Recklessness"

North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong Un asserted the legitimacy of North Korea's military dispatch, claiming it was in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. He argued that the deployment of North Korean troops to Russia is based on bilateral treaties and other agreements, and therefore poses no issue.

On May 10, the Korean Central News Agency reported the full text of a speech delivered by Chairman Kim during his visit to the Russian Embassy in North Korea the previous day, on the occasion of Russia's Victory Day. Rodong Sinmun, the official newspaper of the Workers' Party, also covered the news on its front and second pages.

In his speech, Chairman Kim stated, "I promptly shared my determination to faithfully fulfill our treaty obligations with Comrade President Vladimir Putin, and issued an order to eliminate the Ukrainian neo-Nazi occupiers and to liberate the Kursk region."

The treaty Kim referred to is the "Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty" signed between the leaders of North Korea and Russia in June of last year. He emphasized, "Our participation in the war was legitimate, and this falls within our sovereign rights."

North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong Un visited the Russian Embassy in Pyongyang on the morning of the 9th to deliver a congratulatory speech on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union's victory in World War II (Victory Day), according to the Korean Central News Agency. Yonhap News

During his speech, he also called President Putin "my closest friend and comrade," highlighting the friendship between the two leaders.

He went on to say, "We must consider those who slander our military's participation. If they had not committed the heinous act of invading Russian territory, they would not have fallen victim to our swords and spears."

He further argued, "If we allow the Ukrainian puppets to openly carry out military actions against the territory of a nuclear power, they will eventually become even more reckless and emboldened. In that case, the military in Seoul, which is the top lackey of the United States, might also develop such reckless bravado."

He added, "We must responsibly exercise our duty to correct these wrongful and dangerous developments."

Chairman Kim stated, "If (the United States and others) do not abandon their dangerous ideas of military invasion against Russia and launch another attack, I will not hesitate to order the use of force." This suggests the possibility of additional troop deployments or further military support in the future.

Meanwhile, on the same day, the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, the State Affairs Commission of the Republic, the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly, and the Cabinet of the Republic sent a joint congratulatory message to the Russian side. In the message, they stated, "May 9 is a shared holiday for the peoples of Korea (North Korea) and Russia," and added, "The Democratic People's Republic of Korea will always stand by Russia, which fights and wins."