My Take | North Korea strengthens ties with Russia over China in New Year’s diplomatic shift

Kim Jong-un’s outreach to Moscow and the absence of greetings for Xi Jinping suggest Pyongyang is exploiting Russia’s need for support while testing Beijing

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North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (right) and Russia’s President Vladimir Putin, walk through a garden of the Kumsusan State Guest House in Pyongyang, North Korea on June 19, 2024. Photo: KCNA/KNS via AP

Published: 10:30am, 3 Jan 2025

North Korea’s decision to spotlight ties with Russia over China in its New Year’s diplomacy appears to signal the reclusive nation’s evolving strategy: leveraging Moscow’s desperation for support while testing Beijing tolerance for being sidelined.

In a letter to President Vladimir Putin, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un pledged to solidify the country’s comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia, state media outlet KCNA reported on Tuesday.

In the message, Kim extended New Year greetings to Putin and all Russians, including their troops and expressed his willingness to further strengthen bilateral ties, which he said the two leaders elevated to new levels this year, KCNA added.

While the agency reported that Kim had received New Year greetings from many heads of state, including the “Chinese President”, which was put in quote marks, but did not mention Xi Jinping by name nor disclose further details. It also did not indicate if Kim sent greetings to Xi.

Last year, reporting on New Year’s greetings from foreign leaders, North Korea listed Xi ahead of Putin. However, the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between North Korea and China concluded last year without a closing ceremony, a break from past practices, according to South Korea’s Chosun Daily.

When asked why the event had not taken place, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning declined to comment during a briefing on December 30.