Seoul/Pyongyang, 15 September (H.S.): North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has reaffirmed his commitment to further strengthening his country’s ties with Russia. According to a report by state media on Tuesday, Kim, in a message sent to Russian President Vladimir Putin, pledged to broadly expand and deepen joint cooperation between the two countries.

According to South Korea’s state-run news agency Yonhap, the message was sent in response to a congratulatory message Putin had conveyed on September 9 on the occasion of the 78th anniversary of the founding of North Korea. Kim expressed his gratitude to Putin for the message and said he would work to further advance cooperation with Russia.

In his message, Kim said North Korea’s goal is to broadly expand and deepen joint work with Russia based on the tradition of friendship, good-neighbourly relations, mutual cooperation and strong alliance ties between the two countries.

However, Kim did not specify the areas covered by what he referred to as “joint work.” It is believed that this could include the expanding military and economic cooperation between the two countries.

Kim said the two countries were writing a new chapter in the great history of their alliance despite historical upheavals. He also reiterated North Korea’s unwavering commitment to supporting Russia in its war against Ukraine.

Relations between North Korea and Russia have strengthened rapidly in recent years. During Putin’s visit to Pyongyang in June 2024, the two countries signed a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty. The agreement includes a provision requiring either country to provide military assistance to the other without delay in the event of an armed attack.

According to reports, North Korea has supplied Russia with conventional weapons as well as thousands of troops to support Moscow in its war against Ukraine. This has heightened concerns in Western countries over the growing military partnership between Moscow and Pyongyang.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar