North Korea Slams US Taiwan Arms Sales, Reaffirms Russia Support

North Korea has criticized the United States for supplying weapons and military support to Taiwan, accusing Washington of increasing tensions across the Taiwan Strait as Pyongyang also reaffirmed its backing for Russia.

In a commentary published Wednesday by state media KCNA, North Korean international affairs analyst Kim Myong Chol argued that US policy toward Taiwan was threatening regional peace and stability. The criticism followed the arrival of US-supplied fighter jets in Taiwan.

Kim questioned whether Washington was prepared for a direct confrontation with China over Taiwan and whether it could handle the potential consequences of such a conflict.

The comments came after the first two of 66 new F-16V Block 70 fighter jets ordered by Taiwan in 2019 arrived on the island last week. The deliveries are intended to strengthen Taiwan’s air defenses as it faces growing military pressure from Beijing.

China considers democratically governed Taiwan part of its territory and has repeatedly opposed US arms sales and military cooperation with Taipei.

Separately, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un reiterated Pyongyang’s support for Russia in a birthday message sent to Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to KCNA.

Kim pledged to continue expanding cooperation between North Korea and Russia under their comprehensive strategic partnership. He also expressed confidence that Russia’s “sacred war of justice” to protect its sovereignty, security interests and territorial integrity would ultimately succeed.

Although Kim’s message did not directly refer to the war in Ukraine, North Korea has become an increasingly important partner for Moscow since Russia’s invasion. Ukrainian and South Korean estimates indicate that Pyongyang has sent approximately 14,000 to 15,000 troops to support Russia’s war effort since 2024.

Relations between North Korea and Russia have deepened significantly since Kim and Putin signed a mutual defense pact in June 2024. The latest statements highlight Pyongyang’s closer alignment with both Moscow and Beijing as tensions with the United States and its regional partners remain elevated.