Silent North Korea... Publicly Calls Putin a "True Comrade and Ally"

NK News: "North Korea Refuses to Accept Trump's Personal Letter"

North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong Un sent a congratulatory message to Russian President Vladimir Putin on the occasion of Russia's national day, highlighting the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries. This comes as North Korea remains silent in response to South Korea's unilateral suspension of loudspeaker broadcasts toward the North and the dialogue gestures from the second-term administration of U.S. President Donald Trump.

According to the Rodong Sinmun on June 12, Chairman Kim sent a congratulatory message to President Putin the previous day to mark "Russia Day" (June 12), Russia's national holiday. In the message, Kim stated, "On the occasion of Russia's National Day, on behalf of the government and people of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, as well as myself, I extend my warmest congratulations and comradely greetings to you and, through you, to the fraternal Russian government and people."

Russia Day commemorates the declaration of sovereignty by the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic, the predecessor of modern Russia, on June 12, 1990. The congratulatory message was delivered to the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs the previous day by Sin Hong-chol, North Korea's ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to Russia.

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In his letter, Chairman Kim referred to Russia as a "brotherly country," stating, "Today, the traditional friendship between North Korea and Russia has been further strengthened by the combat camaraderie of the two countries' soldiers, forged in blood during the just war to defend Russia's sovereignty and territorial integrity. It has developed into a true model of an unbreakable comrade-in-arms alliance."

Chairman Kim also emphasized, "It is the unwavering will of myself and the government of our republic to steadfastly continue the comprehensive and prosperous development of North Korea-Russia relations, which have been forged and tested through all the trials and challenges of history. The Democratic People's Republic of Korea and I will always stand with you and the Russian Federation."

Additionally, Kim stated, "I express my firm belief that the great undertakings of your government and people to defend national sovereignty, security interests, and territorial integrity, and to build a strong Russia, will surely be accomplished." This was interpreted as a wish for victory in the Russia-Ukraine war.

This report on the exchange of letters between the North Korean and Russian leaders is noteworthy for its differences from past practices. In previous years, North Korean state media published the full text of congratulatory messages without further explanation. However, since last year, they have first disclosed the fact that the message was delivered and the diplomatic channel used, before providing detailed content of the correspondence. This is seen as a reflection of North Korea's intention to strengthen its strategic partnership with Russia, especially in light of the comprehensive strategic partnership treaty and the dispatch of troops to the Russia-Ukraine war.

Meanwhile, this report stands in contrast to North Korea's continued silence in response to recent gestures for easing tensions from South Korea and the United States. The South Korean government announced that it had suspended the loudspeaker broadcasts toward North Korea, which had resumed in June of last year. The government explained that this was part of fulfilling its public pledge to restore trust in inter-Korean relations and to promote peace on the Korean Peninsula. However, as of the previous day, North Korea had reportedly not issued any particular response.

The United States is in a similar situation. U.S.-based North Korea-focused media outlet NK News reported on June 11 (local time), citing a high-level anonymous source, that North Korean diplomats in the U.S. refused to accept a personal letter from President Trump to Chairman Kim aimed at restoring the North Korea-U.S. dialogue channel. When asked about the report, the White House spokesperson said, "The President is open to an exchange of letters with Chairman Kim," neither confirming nor denying the report.