Kim, Putin reaffirm ties on Korean Liberation Day

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un reaffirmed Pyongyang’s growing ties with Russia in a message to President Vladimir Putin as North Korea marked the 81st anniversary of its liberation from Japanese colonial rule on Sunday.

Kim was responding to Putin’s congratulatory message marking Saturday’s anniversary. Putin said the countries’ ties were forged when Soviet troops fought Japan and that cooperation would continue across all sectors, according to North Korea’s state news agency KCNA.

Kim expressed hope for stronger ties built on their “common struggle for justice” and longstanding friendship.

North Korea and Russia have deepened relations since Pyongyang began sending troops and weapons to support Moscow’s war in Ukraine, marking its most significant involvement in a foreign conflict since the 1950s.

A Russian ship, the Pallada, arrived at Wonsan port on Saturday for a goodwill visit marking the liberation anniversary, KCNA said.

Meanwhile, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung called for dialogue with North Korea on Saturday, saying the two Koreas should establish safeguards against conflict and work towards replacing the armistice with a peace regime.

North Korea has rejected Lee’s overtures and criticised US-South Korean military exercises as provocations.

MT/ SKS