As Russia wages war in Ukraine and North Korea deepens its military support, the two regimes toasted their growing alliance at a lavish banquet in Pyongyang. Hosted on Russia’s Defender of the Fatherland Day, the event served as both a diplomatic show of force and a warning to the West: Moscow and Pyongyang are closer than ever, militarily and politically.
According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on February 21, Russian Ambassador to North Korea Alexander Matsegora and Russian Defense Attaché hosted the banquet at the Taedonggang Diplomatic Club the previous day.
The event was attended by North Korean Defense Minister No Kwang-chol, Vice Defense Minister Kim Kang-il, Vice Foreign Minister Kim Jong-kyu, military officials, and members of the diplomatic and military attaché corps stationed in Pyongyang.
North Korea Lauds Strengthening of Bilateral Ties
In his speech, Defense Minister No emphasized that the June 2023 summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin had elevated North Korea-Russia relations into an “unbreakable comrade-in-arms alliance” under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty.
He expressed confidence that Russia’s military and people, united firmly under President Putin, would achieve another great victory in 2025, designated by Russia as the ”Year of the Defender of the Fatherland.”
Russian Defense Attaché Bardusov hailed the June 2024 treaty as a “pivotal event” and highlighted the long-standing bonds of mutual respect and camaraderie between the two nations.
He also thanked North Korea’s leadership and people for their steadfast support of Russia despite pressure from the United States and its allies.
Growing Military Ties Between North Korea and Russia
Since signing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty in June 2023, North Korea and Russia have rapidly deepened their military cooperation, with reports indicating that North Korea has dispatched special forces to support Russia’s war effort in Ukraine.
Defender of the Fatherland Day—celebrated annually on February 23—is a national holiday in Russia, akin to a combination of Armed Forces Day and Memorial Day in other countries. Originally established in 1922 as “Red Army Day,” it commemorates the Soviet Union’s early military victories.
Notably, Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, just one day after commemorating this holiday.
BY YOUNGNAM KIM [kim.youngnam@koreadaily.com]
