| Quick Answer North Korea’s Founding Day falls on September 9, marking the day in 1948 when Kim Il Sung declared the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. China and Russia support Kim Jong Un today because it serves their own interests: Russia needs North Korean troops, weapons and workers for its war in Ukraine, while China wants a stable buffer state next door and a partner against Western pressure. In 2026, North Korea marked its 78th founding anniversary, with both Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin sending messages promising to strengthen ties. |
Every nation has a birthday, and North Korea’s is September 9. The official name for the holiday there is the Day of the Foundation of the Republic. It commemorates the day in 1948 when the northern part of Korea became an independent state. This year, on the 78th anniversary of the event, the world learned just how closely North Korea, China and Russia are intertwined, with Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin sending Kim Jong Un personal messages assuring him of their willingness to strengthen the ties between the countries. Here is why the holiday is celebrated and what the two superpowers’ interest in the minor state might be about.
What Is North Korea’s Founding Day?
North Korea’s Founding Day or National Foundation Day is a public holiday in Korea that falls on September 9th. This day commemorates the event that happened on September 9, 1948, when Kim Il Sung, the grandfather of the current ruler Kim Jong Un, declared the founding of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in Pyongyang. It was three years after the defeat of Japan in World War II and the Korean peninsula was temporarily divided between the Soviet Union in the North and the United States in the South.
It is one of the most important holidays in North Korea, along with the birthdays of Kim Il Sung and his son Kim Jong Il. It is traditionally celebrated with military displays, mass rallies, fireworks, and messages of congratulations from North Korea’s allies. In 2026, this day marked the 78th anniversary of the founding of the DPRK, which was notable by who sent their congratulations and how enthusiastically.
Why Does This Anniversary Matter So Much to North Korea?
For North Korea’s leadership, the birthday anniversary is not only a day of national celebration but also an annual demonstration of devotion to the people. The messages of support from Beijing and Moscow are prominently placed on the front pages of the Rodong Sinmun, the newspaper in which many North Koreans are accustomed to reading, thus sending a clear signal to the inhabitants of the country and the outside world that not only are they not alone, but that they have strong allies in the face of any opposition, however carefully crafted that may be.
This year, Chinese President Xi Jinping sent Kim Jong Un a message saying that he wanted to maintain a close relationship on strategic issues. Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a similar message. Smaller messages came from Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Mongolia, Belarus, and several other countries, but it is the messages from China and Russia that have the most diplomatic significance.
Why Is China Supporting Kim Jong Un?
For the leaders of North Korea, the holiday is an opportunity to remind the country and the outside world that they have friends in international affairs. Messages of solidarity from Beijing and Moscow are front-page news in the North Korean newspaper Rodong Sinmun, which means that the domestic audience is being assured that Pyongyang is not as isolated as some would like to believe.
The reason why China supports North Korea, despite the occasional row, has a lot to do with the Korean War, which broke out on the peninsula in the early 1950s. Chinese troops entered the war on the side of the North Koreans against the UN-led forces that supported South Korea. However, there are more immediate reasons why China continues to stand by North Korea, one of which lies in geography. The Korean Peninsula is strategically located close to China, and the Chinese government does not want to see a unified Korea under the control of Washington and hosting American troops on its territory. Another reason, experts say, is that China would prefer to see Russia continuing to fight in Ukraine, and North Korea’s pro-Russia statements help Beijing’s interests.
“China’s position on North Korea is one of realism,” said analyst Li Bin. “It wants to avoid direct confrontation with the West while also trying to reap the benefits of Pyongyang’s support for Moscow and Beijing’s stance on Ukraine. It wants to present a united front with Russia against the United States, but it is careful not to do anything that could damage its economic and security interests.” In other words, China wants to befriend both sides.
Why Is Russia Supporting Kim Jong Un?
Russia’s motives are much more pressing, and they are largely dictated by the war in Ukraine. In particular, North Korea has provided Russia with 14,000-16,000 troops as of late 2024, mostly engaged in the Kursk region, and has supplied Russia with millions of artillery shells and rockets. North Korea has provided Russia with hundreds of long-range rocket systems since the beginning of the war, Ukraine’s military intelligence claims, adding that, for Russia, NK’s munitions have become a critical resource for up to 50% of its artillery barrage.
In turn, NK’s leadership receives vast supplies of food, fuel, and money in return for its services, as well as technical assistance in developing ballistic missiles and satellite technology, which Pyongyang lacked on its own. In addition, thousands of North Korean laborers have been sent to Russia to relieve the Russian economy of the burden of producing goods during wartime and to generate foreign currency.
According to the agreement, Kim Jong Un and Putin pledged to defend each other against any aggression, but Ukraine’s military intelligence has warned that Russia is preparing to request tens of thousands more North Korean troops if the war continues. Putin, according to regional analysts, seeks to gain an ally in the fight against Ukraine, while Kim seeks to reduce his reliance on China by receiving economic aid.
What Does This Mean Going Forward?
The three-way relationship is an unstable one. Analysts believe that North Korea is well aware that Russia will not be interested in supporting its allies once the war with Ukraine ends, but it is difficult to predict what happens next. Until then, the arrangement benefits all three governments: Russia receives manpower and materials, China — an ally and a distraction for western powers, and the DPRK — money and geopolitical influence.
The most important thing for readers to take away from this article is that North Korea’s founding day has become an opportunity to show off their relations with other countries, therefore, each year, on September 9th, the DPRK tries to demonstrate to the world public how exactly they are integrating their alliances into action.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is North Korea’s Founding Day?
North Korea’s Founding Day falls on September 9 every year, marking the founding of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in 1948.
Why do China and Russia send messages on North Korea’s Founding Day?
Sending congratulatory messages is a diplomatic tradition that signals continued support. For China and Russia, it’s a public way of reaffirming their strategic partnerships with Kim Jong Un.
How many North Korean troops are fighting in Ukraine?
Estimates from Western and Ukrainian officials put the number at roughly 14,000 to 16,000 troops sent to Russia since late 2024, with thousands remaining deployed in the Kursk region.
What does North Korea get from supporting Russia?
North Korea reportedly receives food, fuel, cash, and technical help with weapons and satellite programmes, along with income from labourers working in Russia.
Is North Korea allied with both China and Russia?
North Korea has separate but overlapping relationships with China and Russia. China has backed North Korea since the Korean War, while Russia’s support has grown mainly because of the war in Ukraine.
