North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Photo: Taken from KCNA (file photo)
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un sent a special congratulatory message to Russian President Vladimir Putin on Russia’s National Day “Russia Day” on the 12th, declaring that under Putin’s “excellent leadership”, Russia will protect the country’s development by achieving “just greatness” Kwon, South Korean media believes that Kim Jong-un’s move is seen as a high level of support for Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, showing North Korea’s friendly relations with Russia.
According to North Korea’s official KCNA, Kim Jong-un sent a congratulatory message to Putin on the 12th, stating: “Under your (Putin) leadership, even in the ‘just great cause’ of safeguarding the country’s dignity, sovereignty and right to development, welcome Various challenges and difficulties have come, but the Russian people have bravely overcome them one by one and achieved fruitful results. The people of our country (North Korea) give their full support and solidarity.”
In his congratulatory message, Kim Jong-un emphasized the unwavering friendship between North Korea and Russia, saying, “Under the long-standing historical tradition of goodwill and trust, we cherish the continuation of the DPRK-Russian relationship, and in accordance with the demands of the times and the prayers of the two peoples, comprehensively Expanding development (DPRK-Russia relations) is a firm position of the government of our Republic (North Korea).” He pointed out that since the meeting with Putin in Vladivostok in April 2019, DPRK-Russia relations have ushered in a new situation of goodwill and cooperation.
Kim Jong-un expressed his expectation that the two countries will strengthen their cooperation in all fields in the future, and that North Korea and Russia will strengthen their strategic cooperative relations in the journey of safeguarding international justice and world security. The South Korean media “Yonhap News Agency” reported and analyzed that since Russia invaded Ukraine at the end of February this year, the international community has imposed comprehensive sanctions. On this occasion, North Korea once once more highlighted North Korea’s support for Russia by sending a congratulatory message, showing the friendly relationship between the two countries.
