Coverage Comparison
Reports from Yonhap News Agency, citing footage released by Russia's Tass news agency, confirm that North Korean troops marched in Moscow's Red Square during Russia's Victory Day parade on Saturday. The parade commemorates the Soviet victory over Germany in World War II. According to the footage, North Korean soldiers carried the North Korean national flag and a banner marking Russia's Victory Day. This marks the first time North Korean soldiers have participated in the annual parade alongside Russian troops, as reported by Tass.
Key Claims
The presence of North Korean troops in the parade is corroborated by multiple reports, with the soldiers seen marching in formation and being welcomed by North Korean Ambassador to Russia Sin Hong-chol and other officials. The reports note that this participation follows the deployment of around 15,000 North Korean combat troops to support Russia's war in Ukraine, a force that was sent after Kim Jong-un and Vladimir Putin signed a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty in June 2024.
In a separate development reported the same day, Kim Jong-un sent a congratulatory message to Putin on the occasion of Russia's Victory Day. According to the North's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim extended his "sincerest congratulations" and expressed satisfaction with the "brilliant history of independence, dignity, peace and prosperity" shared by the two countries. He reaffirmed Pyongyang's commitment to giving "top priority" to the alliance-like comprehensive strategic partnership, and pledged to "faithfully fulfill the obligations under the inter-state treaty between the DPRK and Russia."
Additionally, a report from Yonhap, citing the Russian Embassy in North Korea, notes that Russia's acting ambassador, Vladimir Topeha, visited the Liberation Tower in Pyongyang on Victory Day to pay tribute to Soviet soldiers who died during the 1950-53 Korean War. The visit was joined by ambassadors from other countries, including China, Brazil, Cuba and Vietnam, as well as North Korean foreign affairs officials. Pyongyang also sent honor guards and military bands to the event. This detail was carried by a single outlet and has not been independently verified.
Perspectives
The events underscore the deepening military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, which has grown significantly since the signing of the strategic partnership treaty in June 2024. The treaty, described as a revival of their Cold War-era alliance, has facilitated the deployment of North Korean troops to support Russia's military operations in Ukraine. The public display of North Korean soldiers in Moscow's Victory Day parade signals a visible consolidation of this partnership.
Kim's message to Putin reinforces the political alignment between the two leaders, with an emphasis on fulfilling treaty obligations and developing the bilateral relationship. The gesture also reflects Pyongyang's continued support for Moscow amid international criticism and sanctions. From South Korea's perspective, as relayed by Yonhap, these actions highlight the growing security challenge posed by the North Korea-Russia axis to regional stability, particularly as the two countries expand cooperation across multiple fronts.