North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening relations between the two countries.
The exchange took place as North Korea marked the anniversary of its liberation from Japanese colonial rule. The occasion also highlighted the historical ties between Pyongyang and Moscow.
North Korea’s state-run KCNA news agency reported that Kim sent a message to Putin. The message came in response to congratulations from the Russian president.
Putin said relations between Russia and North Korea were shaped by the shared struggle of Soviet soldiers against Japan. He also expressed confidence that cooperation between the two countries would continue across different sectors.
Kim responded by expressing hope for further development of bilateral relations. He referred to their shared history and longstanding traditions of friendship.
The renewed commitment comes as military and strategic cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang has expanded significantly in recent years.
North Korea has provided troops and weapons to support Russia’s war in Ukraine, according to South Korean and Western assessments. The involvement represents a major overseas military role for North Korea since the Korean War.
Russia and North Korea have also increased broader defence cooperation. The growing partnership has raised concerns in South Korea and among Western governments.
Meanwhile, the Russian naval vessel Pallada arrived at the North Korean port of Wonsan for a goodwill visit. The visit was held in connection with North Korea’s liberation anniversary.
North Korean provincial officials and Russian embassy representatives welcomed the Russian vessel after its arrival. The visit further highlighted the strengthening relationship between the two countries.
While Pyongyang and Moscow reaffirmed their partnership, South Korea called for renewed dialogue with North Korea.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung used Liberation Day ceremonies to call for measures aimed at preventing conflict between the two Koreas.
Lee also urged efforts to replace the existing armistice arrangement with a formal peace regime. The Korean War ended in 1953 with an armistice rather than a peace treaty.
The South Korean president said future discussions could also explore ways to address North Korea’s nuclear weapons programme.
However, North Korea has rejected recent overtures from Seoul. Pyongyang has also continued to criticise joint military exercises between the United States and South Korea.
North Korea describes the exercises as provocative, while Seoul and Washington maintain that they are defensive in nature.
The contrasting positions highlight the continuing divide on the Korean Peninsula. At the same time, Russia and North Korea appear increasingly committed to expanding their strategic partnership.
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