North Korean leader Kim Jong Un sent a congratulatory message to Russian President Vladimir Putin on his birthday, reaffirming their commitment to the North Korea-Russia alliance and highlighting the close relationship between the two leaders.

In the message sent today (October 7), Kim offered his congratulations and said, "I am pleased to have forged wonderful personal ties with you and to be opening a new chapter in the development of relations between our two countries," the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported today.

He continued, "It is the steadfast policy of the DPRK government and my own unchanging choice to place great value on the comprehensive strategic partnership and allied relations forged with the fraternal Russian Federation, and to steadily expand and advance our joint endeavors."

Kim added, "I reaffirm my unwavering support for you and the Russian Federation, firmly confident that the Russian people's just sacred war to defend the country's sovereignty, security interests, and territorial integrity will surely conclude in victory."

Kim also praised Putin, stating, "Over the past 20-plus years, under your outstanding and seasoned leadership, the Russian Federation has firmly cemented its dignity and status as a great power, ushered in a new era of historic development, and proudly positioned itself at the top of the world as a powerful and thriving nation."

Kim addressed President Putin at the beginning of the message as "my closest friend" and concluded with "A warm embrace to you, my close comrade," underscoring the intimacy and special relationship between the two leaders.

Following their summit in June 2024 where they signed the Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, North Korea and Russia have grown closer as "blood allies," with Pyongyang dispatching combat troops and military engineers to the war in Ukraine starting in October of that year.

(Photo: KCNA, Yonhap News)