 |
| Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean Leader Kim Jong-un |
Moscow - Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a letter to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. So what is the content of the letter? In the letter, Putin said the two countries would "expand comprehensive and constructive bilateral relations with joint efforts." News of Putin's letter was revealed by North Korean state media on Monday (15/8/2022).
In a letter to Kim to mark Korea's Liberation Day, Putin said closer ties would be in the interests of both countries. "Putin explained that the close relationship will help strengthen the security and stability of the Korean peninsula and the Northeast Asian region," the North's KCNA news agency reported.
Kim also sent a letter to Putin saying Russia-North Korea friendship had been forged in World War II with a victory over Japan, which had occupied the Korean peninsula. "The strategic and tactical cooperation, support and solidarity between the two countries have reached a new level is their joint effort to thwart threats and provocations from hostile military forces,"
KCNA did not identify the enemy force Kim was referring to, but usually used the term to refer to the United States (US) and its allies. Kim expects cooperation between Russia and North Korea to grow based on a deal signed in 2019 when he meets Putin in person.
North Korea in July recognized two Russia-backed breakaway "people's republics" in eastern Ukraine as independent states. Officials raised the prospect of North Korean workers being sent to the area to assist in construction and other labour.
Ukraine, which rejected a Russian invasion described by Moscow as a "special military operation", immediately cut diplomatic ties with North Korea over the support.