Kathrine Frich
Russian pop star Yaroslav Dronov, known by his stage name Shaman, has released a new song honoring North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
The track was performed during a concert in Pyongyang last week as part of events marking the 80th anniversary of the Workers’ Party of North Korea.
Praising Kim Jong Un
Shaman joined a delegation of Russian singers and dancers who were invited to perform before Kim Jong Un.
“Kim Jong Un took the stage and thanked the Russian artists for their successful performance,” the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported, publishing images from the event.
The lyrics, shared in a clip on a Telegram channel devoted to Russian pop culture, describe Kim as a wise and heroic leader.
“During the difficult years of war, like soldiers of a regiment, two countries, Korea and Russia, became lifelong friends, forged in battle,” Shaman sings in the refrain of the song.
Music and Politics Intertwine in Pyongyang
A full three-minute version of the song was later released by the Kontekst news channel on Telegram.
The performance, held at the Mansudae Arts Theater, reflected the deepening alliance between Moscow and Pyongyang, which has grown stronger since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Western intelligence agencies have accused North Korea of supplying Russia with artillery shells and missiles, as well as sending troops to the Kursk region last year to help repel Ukrainian forces.
The concert, attended by top North Korean officials, was seen as a display of mutual support between the two governments.
Shaman’s Rise as a Symbol of Nationalism
Shaman previously performed in Pyongyang in August to mark the anniversary of Korea’s liberation from Japanese colonial rule.
His repeated appearances in the country underline how Russian artists close to the Kremlin are being used to strengthen political and cultural ties with allied regimes.
A similar version of the new song was reportedly performed earlier this year at a rally in eastern Ukraine, in a region occupied by Russian forces.
The singer is best known for patriotic hits such as “Ya Russky” (“I am Russian”) and “Moi Boy” (“My Fight”), which have made him one of the most prominent voices of wartime nationalism in Russia.
Shaman’s strong pro-government stance has earned him significant visibility in state media and access to high-profile events both in Russia and abroad.
However, in 2022 he was banned from entering Canada, the European Union, and Australia over his public support for Moscow’s military actions.
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This article is made and published by Kathrine Frich, which may have used AI in the preparation
