North Korean troops march in Moscow's Victory Day parade for first time
Synopsis
For the first time in history, North Korean soldiers marched through Moscow's Red Square at Russia's Victory Day parade — a symbolic display of a military alliance that has already seen Pyongyang deploy 15,000 combat troops to support Russia's war effort. Kim Jong-un's congratulatory message to Putin the same day left little ambiguity about where Pyongyang's loyalties lie.
Key Takeaways
North Korean troops marched in Russia's Victory Day parade at Red Square, Moscow on 9 May 2025 — a historic first.
North Korean Ambassador Sin Hong-chol and other officials applauded the troops from the stands.
Pyongyang has reportedly deployed around 15,000 combat troops to support Russia following a strategic partnership treaty signed in June 2024 .
Kim Jong-un sent a congratulatory message to President Putin on the occasion of the 81st Victory Day , reaffirming the DPRK's commitment to the bilateral alliance.
North Korean troops marched in Russia's Victory Day military parade at Moscow's Red Square on 9 May 2025, marking the first time Pyongyang's soldiers have appeared alongside Russian forces in the annual commemoration. The development signals a deepening of military ties between the two nations, underscored by a strategic partnership treaty signed less than a year ago.
What Happened at Red Square
Footage circulating from Russian state media showed North Korean soldiers marching in formation through Red Square, carrying the North Korean national flag and a banner commemorating Russia's Victory Day — the annual celebration marking the Soviet victory over Germany in World War II. As the troops passed through the square, North Korean Ambassador to Russia Sin Hong-chol and other Pyongyang officials applauded and welcomed them from the stands.
A First in the Parade's History
According to reports, this was the first time North Korean soldiers had ever marched alongside Russian troops in the Victory Day parade. The appearance is widely seen as a symbolic endorsement of the military alliance that has solidified since North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty in June 2024. Under that arrangement, Pyongyang reportedly deployed around 15,000 combat troops to support Russia in its ongoing war in Ukraine.
Kim Jong-un's Victory Day Message
Earlier on the same day, Kim Jong-un sent a congratulatory message to President Putin, extending what state media described as his
Point of View
Seoul, and NATO. By granting Pyongyang a place in its most symbolically loaded military ritual, Moscow is publicly legitimising a partnership that has already drawn Western sanctions and alarmed South Korea. The deployment of 15,000 North Korean troops to the Ukraine theatre marks a qualitative shift: this is no longer arms transfers or technical assistance, but boots-on-ground military integration. For Kim Jong-un, the parade appearance is a prestige dividend — proof that his strategic gamble of aligning with Russia has yielded tangible international visibility, at a time when Pyongyang remains isolated from most of the world.
NationPress
12 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did North Korean troops march in Russia's Victory Day parade?
North Korean troops marched in Russia's Victory Day parade on 9 May 2025 as a symbolic display of the deepening military alliance between the two countries, formalised through a strategic partnership treaty signed by Kim Jong-un and Vladimir Putin in June 2024. It was the first time North Korean soldiers had appeared in the annual Moscow parade.
How many North Korean troops has Pyongyang deployed to support Russia?
Pyongyang reportedly deployed around 15,000 combat troops to support Russia following the June 2024 strategic partnership treaty. Their presence in the Victory Day parade is seen as a public affirmation of that military commitment.
What did Kim Jong-un say to Putin on Victory Day?
Kim Jong-un sent Putin a congratulatory message marking the 81st Victory Day, extending his 'sincerest congratulations' and reaffirming the DPRK's commitment to prioritising and deepening the 'alliance-like comprehensive strategic partnership' between the two countries.
What is Russia's Victory Day and why is it significant?
Victory Day, observed on 9 May each year, commemorates the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. It is Russia's most important national military commemoration, featuring a large parade through Red Square in Moscow, making North Korea's participation especially symbolic.
What treaty underpins the North Korea-Russia military alliance?
The alliance is anchored by a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty signed by Kim Jong-un and Vladimir Putin in June 2024. The treaty has since led to the reported deployment of North Korean combat troops to Russia's war effort and, now, joint participation in ceremonial military events.
