(2nd LD) N. Korea's defense chief says Pyongyang, Moscow closely united in 'bloody battles'

박보람 / 2025-10-02 15:33:19

(2nd LD) N Korea-Russia-ties

▲ This image published by the Korean Central News Agency on Oct. 2, 2025, shows North Korean Defense Minister No Kwang-chol (R) and Andrei Beloussov, Russia's defense minister, during a ceremony in Russia on Oct. 1. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)

(2nd LD) N Korea-Russia-ties

(2nd LD) N. Korea's defense chief says Pyongyang, Moscow closely united in 'bloody battles'

(ATTN: UPDATES throughout with KCNA report, photo; RECASTS headline; ADDS byline)

By Park Boram

SEOUL, Oct. 2 (Yonhap) -- North Korea and Russia are closely united in bloody battles against a common enemy, the North's Defense Minister No Kwang-chol has said at a sculpture unveiling ceremony in Russia, calling for stronger military friendship and solidarity with Moscow.

The North Korean minister made the remarks the previous day at a ceremony in a Moscow suburb, where a sculpture was unveiled honoring North Korean soldiers who fought alongside Russians during World War II, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

"The two countries and peoples were closely united with warm affection of comrades-in-arms and friends in the bloody battles against the common enemy," the KCNA quoted No as saying.

"This proud tradition has become the cornerstone of developing the DPRK-Russia relations into the ones of comprehensive strategic partnership and alliance," he said, adding that "only victory and glory are in store for ... the two countries steadily strengthening militant friendship and solidarity."

DPRK stands for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the official name of North Korea.

Andrei Beloussov, Russia's defense minister who attended the ceremony, described the sculpture as "a symbol of the invincible militant friendship."

"The monument would make a great contribution to looking back upon the memory of the wartime generations and preserving the historical truth," the KCNA also quoted him as saying.

Russian news agency Ria Novosti reported that during the ceremony, No expressed "full support" for Russia in its struggle to defend sovereignty, territorial integrity and national interests.

(END)