Kim Jong Un: North Korea-Russia military brotherhood will "progress without ceasing"

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said the military brotherhood between his country and Russia would "progress without ceasing," state news agency KCNA reported.

Kim made the remarks during a speech at a groundbreaking ceremony for a monument to North Korean soldiers who fought alongside Russian troops in Russia's Kursk region during Moscow's current war against Ukraine, according to KCNA.

"The years of fighting brotherhood, during which a guarantee for the long-term development of our countries' friendship was secured at the cost of precious blood, will advance without ceasing," Kim was quoted as saying by the agency.

He added that the challenges of "domination and tyranny" cannot hinder relations between the two countries.

This event, Reuters reports, is the latest example of public tribute to North Korean soldiers who fought in Russia to repel the advance of Ukrainian forces.

Kim and Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a mutual defense agreement. North Korea sent troops, artillery ammunition and missiles to Russia to support the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

According to estimates from Kiev and Seoul, North Korea has sent more than 10.000 soldiers to the front in exchange for economic and military-technological assistance from Russia. South Korean intelligence estimated in September that about 2.000 North Korean soldiers had died in the fighting.

Putin remained defiant on Thursday after US President Donald Trump imposed sanctions on two of Russia's largest oil companies to pressure the Kremlin to end the war.

Trump will visit South Korea, Pyongyang's bitter rival, next Sunday.