On August 16, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un pledged to strengthen ties with Russia in response to President Putin’s message, celebrating their shared history from Soviet-Japan battles. The announcement coincided with North Korea’s Independence Day. Kim and Putin signed a strategic partnership and mutual defense pact in June. Putin highlighted that the agreements foster regional stability. North Korea has ignored South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s unification proposal, amid escalating tensions and recent provocations towards Seoul.
