Seoul:North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has expressed his commitment to strengthening his country's strategic partnership with Russia in a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim's letter, sent on the occasion of Putin's birthday, was reported by Pyongyang's state media. Kim emphasized his pleasure in maintaining a strong friendship with Putin and expressed his intent to open a new chapter in the countries' relations.
Kim highlighted the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's (DPRK) policy to prioritize its comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia. He reiterated his unwavering support for Putin and expressed confidence in the success of what he termed Russia's "sacred war of justice" to uphold its sovereignty and security interests.
The North Korean leader underscored his personal connection with Putin by addressing him as "my dearest friend" and concluding the letter with "I warmly embrace you, my dear comrade." The deepening relationship between North Korea and Russia follows a mutual defense pact signed in June 2024, which established the foundation for North Korea's military support for Russia in its conflict with Ukraine.