North Korean media’s readout of the annual year-end get together plenary assembly in 2024 revealed comparatively little about its protection and international coverage targets for 2025. Regardless of the dearth of particulars, references to a “technique for the hardest anti-U.S. counteraction” and North Korea’s achievements in constructing “a righteous multi-polar world”—an expression the North sometimes makes use of in reference to its cooperation with Russia—appear to recommend Pyongyang will keep its hardline coverage towards the US and proceed to deepen ties with Moscow this yr.
Kim Jong Un’s uncommon New Yr’s message to the Russian president, printed simply days after the Celebration plenary assembly closed, reinforces this notion.[1]
In line with North Korean media’s abstract of Kim’s message, he appeared to point a brand new stage of military-to-military relationship between the 2 international locations. He provided “greatest needs to the fraternal Russian folks and all of the service personnel of the courageous Russian military within the identify of his personal, the Korean folks and all of the service personnel of the armed forces of the DPRK .” [Emphasis added.]
Prior to now, Kim gave a nod to the Russian army with out linking the 2 armed forces. For instance, in his final message to Putin in October 2024, Kim expressed “our [North Korea’s]” assist for the “military and folks of Russia.” Throughout a gathering with the visiting Russian protection minister in November, Kim voiced assist of “the DPRK authorities, military and folks” for “the Russian Federation” coverage of defending nationwide sovereignty, not the Russian army itself.
Two further modifications stand out on this New Yr’s greeting. First, Kim’s characterization of his relationship to Putin has an added dimension, referring to him as his “closest pal and comrade.”[2] By comparability, Kim’s message to the Russian president in October referred to as him solely his “closest comrade.” Second, Kim described North Korea and Russia as “sworn associates,” an uncommon time period for the North to make use of in reference to Russia, no less than in fashionable historical past.
In distinction, as per traditional observe, North Korean media merely listed Xi Jinping and his spouse as being amongst these international dignitaries who despatched New Yr’s playing cards to Kim Jong Un.
Whether or not Pyongyang’s choice to supply little data on its protection and international coverage path for the New Yr was pushed extra by a need to take care of coverage flexibility forward of Trump’s second time period or just hold the skin world guessing about its intentions is unclear. A detailed examination of North Korean official statements and media commentary—previous and future—will likely be wanted to assist fill the gaps. Kim’s newest letter to Putin is only one indication; extra will likely be revealed within the coming months.
