North Korean leader Kim Jong-un congratulated China on the “successful” closing of the Winter Olympics in Beijing which concluded on February 20.

In a verbal message to China, he swore to strengthen the relationship between the two countries and “crush” threats from the United States and its allies, according to Pyongyang state media. 

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“In the message the respected Comrade Kim Jong-un extended heartfelt warm congratulations to General Secretary Xi Jinping upon the splendid proceeding of the Beijing Winter Olympics as a novel and special grand sports festival,” the North’s Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.

Kim said China has “left an indelible trace in the history of the Olympics with their indefatigable efforts” despite “unprecedentedly severe health crisis and the hostile forces’ manoeuvres,” and “demonstrated the stamina of China.”

While the media report didn’t specify, it appeared to be a jibe at the diplomatic boycott of the games by several countries, including the US, over China’s alleged human rights abuses against minorities.

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Kim added that China and North Korea are “frustrating the undisguised hostile policy and military threat of the US and its satellite forces by strengthening the bilateral strategic cooperation and unity,” and pledged to “more firmly consolidate the DPRK-China relationship into the invincible one,” according to a report by Korea Herald citing KCNA.

Notably, North Korea was suspended from participating in the Beijing Olympics by the International Olympic Committee as retribution for refusing to take part in Tokyo Games due to COVID concerns. 

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Meanwhile, North Korea has considerably ramped up missile testing since the turn of the year and have launched 11 missiles over the course of seven tests in January 2022 alone. It has also repeatedly threatened to resume development of nuclear weapons. It is presumed that Kim Jong-Un may resume military testing after the end of the Winter Olympics.

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China and Russia have repeatedly blocked attempts to pass a Security Council resolution to take action against North Korea, and have even floated a proposal seeking to ease sanctions on Pyongyang, which is suffering from a food crisis, on humanitarian grounds. However, that proposal, floated in 2021, has not been put to vote due to a lack of support from other Security Council members.