Putin's Congratulations to Friend Kim Jong Un on Being Re-elected as North Korean President

Russian President Vladimir Putin has congratulated Kim Jong Un on his re-election as President of North Korea (DPRK). Putin hopes that bilateral relations between Russia and North Korea will grow even stronger.

“Dear friend Kim Jong Un, please accept my sincere congratulations on your re-election as Chairman of State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea,” Putin said in a message posted on the Kremlin’s Telegram channel, quoted from detikNews on Monday (23/3/2026).

“Russia highly values your personal contribution to strengthening the friendly and allied relations between our countries. We will certainly continue our close cooperation to further develop the comprehensive strategic partnership between Moscow and Pyongyang. This undoubtedly serves the fundamental interests of both our countries,” Putin added.

Kim was reappointed to the top position of the State Affairs Commission at the first session of the Supreme People’s Assembly held on Sunday (22/3). His re-election marks his third consecutive term since the commission was established in 2016 as North Korea’s highest policy-making body.

It is known that Russia and North Korea have deepened their relations in recent years. The two countries signed a joint defence agreement in 2024. North Korea has even sent troops to support Russia in its war against Ukraine.

Kim is the third-generation ruler of the nuclear-armed state founded by his grandfather, Kim Il Sung, in 1948. He has ruled the country since his father’s death in 2011.

Photos released by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) show Kim wearing a formal Western-style suit. Kim sat in the centre of the stage, flanked by senior officials in front of two giant statues of his father, Kim Jong Il, and his grandfather.