SEOUL, Oct. 7, 2026—North Korea has condemned U.S. military aid to Taiwan, accusing Washington of escalating tensions across the Taiwan Strait, while at the same time reaffirming its support for Russia and its war effort in Ukraine.

North Korea’s state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) published a commentary Wednesday that included the criticism. North Korea’s international affairs analyst Kim Myong Chol was quoted as saying that "the United States is undermining peace and stability in the region through its policy toward Taiwan."

It cited the recent deployment of U.S.-made fighter aircraft to Taiwan specifically. It warned Washington to think through whether it was ready for a direct confrontation with China over Taiwan and the possible consequences of such a conflict.

Taipei last week took delivery of the first two of 66 F-16V Block 70 fighter jets ordered in 2019, as the island ramps up its defenses in the face of mounting military pressure from Beijing.

North Korea has made the remarks as it builds closer ties with China. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un told Chinese President Xi Jinping at a summit in Pyongyang in June that North Korea would “fully support” Beijing’s position on the “One China” principle.

China regards Taiwan as part of its territory and has protested repeatedly against U.S. arms sales to the island. Beijing has also cautioned foreign governments against having official contact with the authorities in Taiwan.

Taiwan’s government denies Beijing’s claims of sovereignty over the island and says China has no right to represent it internationally.

The U.S. has no formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan but maintains extensive unofficial relations and is legally bound by the Taiwan Relations Act to provide the island with defensive capabilities.

North Korea reaffirms support for Russia.

Kim Jong Un also renewed North Korea's support for Russia in a birthday message to President Vladimir Putin in a separate KCNA report Wednesday.

Kim said Pyongyang would keep boosting cooperation with Moscow under the two countries’ comprehensive strategic partnership. He said he was confident of victory in Russia’s war, which he described as a “sacred war of justice,” the KCNA reported.

The message did not explicitly mention Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Since Kim and Putin signed a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty in June 2024, North Korea and Russia have expanded military and political cooperation significantly.

Since 2024, North Korea has deployed an estimated 14,000 to 15,000 troops in support of Russia, according to estimates from Ukraine and South Korea. The precise role and size of these forces are still under international scrutiny.

The growing ties between Moscow and Pyongyang have raised concerns in Washington, Seoul, and Kyiv about potential military cooperation, including the movement of weapons and personnel between the two countries.

In that sense, North Korea’s recent rhetoric highlights its dual stance of opposition to U.S. military support for Taiwan and alignment with China and Russia.