Overview
- Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Russian Security Council deputy chair Dmitry Medvedev arrived in Pyongyang for the anniversary events, with Vietnam’s To Lam and Laos’ Thongloun Sisoulith also attending.
- Kim Jong-un’s Oct. 7 message called Putin his closest comrade and vowed to “fully support” Russia’s “just struggle,” echoing language carried by North Korean state media.
- South Korea’s intelligence assesses that North Korea has sent about 14,000–15,000 personnel and weapons to support Russia’s war in Ukraine since last October.
- The June 2024 Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership commits North Korea and Russia to provide assistance if either is attacked, formalizing their tightened military-political ties.
- South Korea’s military has detected preparations for a large parade, and analysts say Pyongyang may showcase advanced systems such as the next-generation Hwasong-20 ICBM and hypersonic capabilities.