North Korean chief Kim Jong-un, left, shakes arms with Chinese language President Xi Jinping on the Nice Corridor of the Individuals in Beijing, China, Sept. 4, 2025. Reuters-Yonhap
North Korea’s chief Kim Jong-un despatched a New Yr’s message to Chinese language President Xi Jinping, state media reported Sunday, with out releasing particulars, in a restrained transfer as Pyongyang deepens ties with Moscow.
The Korean Central Information Company mentioned Kim despatched New Yr’s messages to a number of overseas leaders, together with these of Vietnam, Singapore, Tajikistan and Azerbaijan, however referred to the Chinese language chief by his title and to his spouse with out naming her.
Earlier this month, the KCNA additionally reported that Xi and his spouse despatched a New Yr’s message to Kim, with out offering particulars.
The restrained protection stands in sharp distinction to North Korea’s current portrayal of its relationship with Russia. In December, the KCNA printed detailed accounts of letters exchanged between Kim and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Kim described relations with Russia as a “valuable frequent asset,” whereas Putin was quoted as praising North Korea’s “heroic” deployment of troops in Russia’s warfare in Ukraine.
