Russian leader Vladimir Putin sent New Year’s greetings to his North Korean counterpart Kim Jong Un last week, according to state media, rounding off a year of unprecedented bilateral cooperation by pledging to “align our efforts more closely to counter threats and challenges” in 2025.

The party daily Rodong Sinmun denounced the second Trilateral Indo-Pacific Dialogue between the U.S., ROK and Japan for “destroying peace,” as Pyongyang remains vigilant about their military cooperation and uses it to rationalize Russia ties.

On Christmas, state media shunned mention of the Western holiday, while emphasizing the importance