It happened again. Just as the world rang in 2026, a specific telegram traveled from Pyongyang to Moscow. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un congratulates Putin with a level of intensity that makes standard diplomatic pleasantries look like an ice-cold shoulder. This isn't just about "Happy New Year." It’s about a relationship that has shifted from tactical cooperation into what Kim himself now calls an "invincible alliance."
Honestly, the language coming out of the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) lately is wild. They aren't talking about trade deals or border security anymore. They are talking about "blood."
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The "Same Trench" Narrative
In his most recent message sent on December 27, 2025—and echoed again in a birthday response to Putin on January 8, 2026—Kim described the bond between the two nations as the "sincerest alliance of sharing blood, life, and death in the same trench."
That is a heavy phrase. It isn’t just poetic flair. It is a direct reference to the thousands of North Korean soldiers who spent 2025 on the front lines in Russia’s Kursk region. When Kim Jong Un congratulates Putin, he is basically validating the sacrifice of his own troops. According to South Korean and Western intelligence, at least 600 of those soldiers have died, and thousands more were injured by the start of 2026.
For Kim, this is a gamble for legitimacy. He told Putin that the solidarity between their peoples is now "vividly etched in the pages of history." You've got to wonder if the average citizen in Pyongyang feels the same way, but in the halls of the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, the narrative is clear: Russia is the ultimate partner.
Why the Timing Matters in 2026
Early January is always a busy time for North Korean propaganda, but this year felt different. We saw Kim Jong Un celebrating at the May Day Stadium with his wife, Ri Sol Ju, and his daughter, Kim Ju Ae. While the fireworks were going off, the diplomatic wires were buzzing.
- January 1, 2026: Kim uses his New Year's address to hail the "heroic" defense of Russia's dignity.
- January 8, 2026: Kim responds to a congratulatory letter from Putin (likely a birthday greeting) by pledging "permanent" and "unconditional" support.
- Late December 2025: Putin reportedly praises the "invincible friendship" after witnessing the role North Korean troops played in European combat zones.
The 2026 dynamic is basically a "scratch my back, I'll scratch yours" on a global scale. Kim needs food, energy, and satellite technology. Putin needs boots on the ground and a steady supply of artillery shells to keep his "Special Military Operation" from stalling.
What North Korea Actually Gets
Let's be real—Kim isn't doing this out of the goodness of his heart. There is a very specific shopping list attached to these congratulatory messages.
First, there’s the tech. While experts like those at the East Asia Forum note that Russia has been hesitant to hand over the "crown jewels" (like ICBM re-entry tech or nuclear-powered submarine blueprints), the flow of conventional military aid is massive. We’re talking about help with military satellites—Pyongyang launched its first successful one in early 2024 and is looking for more in 2026.
Second, it’s about the money. The financial aid and food supplies coming from Moscow have provided an economic lifeline that allows Kim to ignore the U.S. and South Korea entirely. He doesn't need to negotiate for sanctions relief when he has a backdoor open to the Russian economy.
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The Human Cost
There is a grimmer side to this "invincible alliance." Reports have surfaced—vetted by South Korean intelligence—that North Korean soldiers in Russia have been ordered to take their own lives rather than be captured. Two soldiers who were captured by Kyiv in early 2025 have already expressed a desire to defect. When Kim Jong Un congratulates Putin, he isn't mentioning the "kill-yourself" orders or the grim conditions his men face in "alien lands." He’s focused on the "heroic feats" that he expects to continue throughout 2026.
A "Hostile Two States" Policy
This budding bromance with Putin is also a shield. By aligning so closely with Moscow, Kim has doubled down on his "hostile two states" policy regarding South Korea. He has essentially written off reunification.
In the 2026 messages, there is zero mention of peace on the peninsula. Instead, Kim talks about "expanding a strong and reliable nuclear deterrent." He uses the geopolitical crises—even citing U.S. actions as far away as Venezuela—as proof that North Korea must stay armed to the teeth. Having Putin in his corner gives him the confidence to stay the course.
What Most People Get Wrong
A lot of analysts think North Korea is just a puppet or a "mercenary state" for Russia. That’s a bit of an oversimplification. Honestly, Kim is playing a very smart game of "strategic autonomy."
By leaning into Russia, he is actually reducing his total dependence on China. Beijing has been a bit lukewarm lately, especially regarding North Korea’s troop deployments. By diversifying his "autocrat portfolio," Kim ensures that if China tries to squeeze him, he has Putin to call. It’s a pragmatic instrument of statecraft, not just an ideological friendship.
Practical Insights: What to Watch for Next
If you're tracking this geopolitical shift, the congratulatory letters are the "canary in the coal mine." They signal where the wind is blowing.
- Watch the 9th Party Congress: Likely happening in February 2026, this event will codify these "new" defense policies. Look for how often Russia is mentioned compared to China.
- Monitor the "Alien Lands": If Kim continues to refer to his troops in "alien lands" with "heroic" terminology, expect more deployments. The "invincible alliance" is a hungry beast that requires constant feeding.
- The Satellite Launches: Every time a North Korean rocket goes up in 2026, check for Russian "technical advisors" in the area. That is the true currency of this relationship.
The fact that Kim Jong Un congratulates Putin so frequently now isn't just news—it’s a warning. The two leaders have found a way to bypass the international order by leaning on each other. It’s a "permanent" choice, according to Kim, and it’s one that will likely define the security landscape of Eurasia for the rest of the decade.
To stay ahead of these developments, keep a close eye on the official KCNA dispatches and the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) updates, as they often catch the subtle shifts in language that precede major military movements.