North Korean leader Kim Jong Un reaffirmed the nation’s commitment to achieving victory in its “anti-imperialist, anti-U.S.” struggle during commemorations of the Korean War armistice, state media KCNA reported Sunday. The remarks came as Pyongyang marked July 27, which it calls “Victory Day,” commemorating the 1953 ceasefire that ended three years of war on the Korean Peninsula.
During a visit to the Korean War museum, Kim pledged that North Korea would continue building “a rich country with a strong army” and emerge as “honorable victors” in ongoing confrontations with the United States. The armistice, signed by North Korea, the United States, and China, established the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) dividing the peninsula and halted active hostilities, though a formal peace treaty was never signed.
North Korea celebrates the day with large-scale events honoring veterans and allies from the conflict, including Chinese soldiers who fought alongside the North. Kim also visited memorials and met artillery regiment soldiers to mark the occasion. In contrast, South Korea observes the date without major ceremonies.
The anniversary comes amid deepening military ties between Pyongyang and Moscow. North Korea has reportedly deployed thousands of troops to Russia’s Kursk region and supplied munitions to support the ongoing war in Ukraine. South Korean officials say additional North Korean forces could be sent to Russia in the coming months, signaling growing cooperation between the two countries amid heightened tensions with the U.S. and its allies.
Kim’s latest pledge underscores Pyongyang’s continued defiance of international sanctions and its efforts to position itself as a key military ally to Russia, further complicating the geopolitical landscape in Northeast Asia.