North Korea's Kim vows to expand ties with Russia

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un says he will "expand and deepen" joint work with Russia in a message to Russian President Vladimir Putin, state media KCNA reports.

In a reply sent on Monday to Putin's congratulations for North Korea's 78th founding anniversary, Kim said Pyongyang's government had a firm will to broaden co-operation with Russia "in a comprehensive way" based on friendship, mutual assistance, and what he described as the countries' alliance relations.

Kim also said he was convinced of Russia's victory in the current "sacred war for defending the security interests of the country and international justice", language that appeared to refer to Russia's war in Ukraine.

The remarks come as Moscow and Pyongyang have drawn markedly closer, with North Korea sending troops to fight alongside Russian forces in Ukraine in 2024 and deepening military co-operation under a mutual defence pact.

Kim delivered a similar message to Chinese President Xi Jinping in a reply published by KCNA on Sunday, saying North Korea would work with China to further develop their traditional friendship and advance their shared socialist cause.

Both messages were responses to congratulatory letters sent by Putin and Xi on September 9, when North Korea marked the 78th anniversary of its founding.