North Korea has warned the United States over its arms sales and military support for Taiwan, urging Washington to reconsider a potential confrontation with China. The warning comes as North Korean leader Kim Jong Un pledged continued support for Russia and its war effort in a birthday message to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
A commentary released by the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on Wednesday, citing North Korean international affairs analyst Kim Myong Chol, stated that US policy on Taiwan was undermining peace and stability in the region. The commentary condemned the appearance of US-sold fighter aircraft in Taiwan, questioning whether the US “should think twice whether it is ready to stand in frontal confrontation with the powerful national power of the People’s Republic of China for the security of Taiwan and whether it can cope with its consequences.”
Taiwan receives US fighter jets amid rising tensions
The first two of a batch of 66 new F-16V Block 70 fighter jets, ordered by Taiwan in 2019, arrived on the island last week. Their arrival has heightened regional tensions, as Beijing claims the democratically governed island as its own territory and threatens reunification by force if necessary. The China-Taiwan dispute originated from the Chinese civil war in 1949, when the defeated Nationalist government fled to Taiwan.
On October 6, 2026, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense detected eight Chinese naval vessels and eight government ships around the Taiwan Strait. In response, Taiwan deployed fighter aircraft and warships, placing its coastal missile systems on alert. However, on October 4, 2026, Alexander Yueh, the US representative to Taiwan, assured Taipei that Washington’s Taiwan policy remains unchanged.
Kim reaffirms support for Russia
In his birthday message to President Putin on Wednesday, Kim Jong Un stated that Pyongyang would continue to expand joint work under the countries’ comprehensive strategic partnership. He expressed conviction that Russia’s “sacred war of justice” to defend its sovereignty, security interests, and territorial integrity would end in victory. The message did not explicitly mention Russia’s war in Ukraine, which began with a full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022.
North Korea and Russia have significantly strengthened ties since Putin and Kim signed a mutual defence pact in June 2024. According to Ukrainian and South Korean estimates, North Korea has sent an estimated 14,000 to 15,000 troops to support Russia’s war in Ukraine since 2024. North Korea confirmed sending troops to fight on Russia’s side in the Ukraine war in April 2025.
In September 2026, Ukraine claimed that North Korea was preparing to send an additional 30,000 to 50,000 troops to Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had stated in August 2026 that a decision had been made to deploy 30,000 to 50,000 North Korean troops in Russian territory. However, North Korea or Russia have not officially confirmed these claims.
Future developments
A US$14 billion American arms package, approved by the US Congress in January 2026, has been stalled since mid-May 2026 due to a meeting between President Trump and Xi Jinping and the US conflict with Iran. Taiwan has expressed a desire for faster delivery of arms from the United States. In July 2026, the US House of Representatives passed the 2027 appropriation bill, which includes US$500 million in military aid for Taiwan.
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te had openly challenged China in January 2026, vowing to take all necessary steps to defend Taiwan’s sovereignty and democracy.
Our earlier story reported on President Trump’s discussions with President Putin and Kim’s pledge of strategic support to Russia.
