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North Korea's Kim voices full support for Russia, sends National Day message to Putin, KCNA says

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin meet during their visit to Beijing to attend China's commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two, in Beijing, China, September 3, 2025, in this picture released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency.   KCNA via REUTERS
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin meet during their visit to Beijing to attend China's commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two, in Beijing, China, September 3, 2025, in this picture released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency. KCNA via REUTERS Reuters

SEOUL - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un sent a congratulatory message to Russian President Vladimir Putin on Russia's National Day, voicing full support for Moscow's domestic and foreign policies, state media KCNA said on Friday.

Kim said ties between North Korea and Russia were strengthening into an alliance based on a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty, and pledged to "always be with" Russia, KCNA reported.

(Reporting by Kyu-seok Shim; Editing by Chris Reese)

Copyright Reuters or USA Today Network via Reuters Connect.

This story was originally published June 11, 2026 at 2:17 PM.

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