North Korea leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin exchanged letters on Tuesday pledging to develop their ties into what Kim called a quot;long-standing strategic relationship,quot; Pyongyang#39;s state media KCNA said.
The letters mark the 78th anniversary of Korea#39;s liberation from Japan#39;s 1910-45 colonial rule, which is also celebrated as a national holiday in South Korea.
In his letter to Putin, Kim said the two countries#39; friendship was forged in World War II with victory over Japan and is now quot;fully demonstrating their invincibility and might in the struggle to smash the imperialists#39; arbitrary practices and hegemony,quot; KCNA said.
quot;I am firmly convinced that the friendship and solidarity … will be further developed into a long-standing strategic relationship in conformity with the demand of the new era,quot; Kim was quoted as saying in the letter.
quot;The two countries will always emerge victorious, strongly supporting and cooperating with each other in the course of achieving their common goal and cause.quot;
The United States has accused North Korea of providing weapons to Russia for its war in Ukraine, including artillery shells, shoulder-fired rockets and missiles. Pyongyang and Moscow have denied any arms transactions.
Last month, Russia#39;s defence minister stood shoulder to shoulder with Kim as they reviewed his newest nuclear-capablenbsp;missilesnbsp;and attack drones at anbsp;military paradenbsp;in Pyongyang.
Putin, in his message to Kim, also vowed to bolster bilateral ties.
quot;I am sure that we will strengthen the bilateral cooperation in all fields for the two peoples#39; well-being and the firm stability and security of the Korean peninsula and the whole of Northeast Asia,quot; Putin said, according to KCNA.
The leaders of South Korea, the United States and Japan are set to discuss security cooperation over North Korea, Ukraine and other issues at anbsp;trilateral summitnbsp;on Aug. 18 at Camp David. — Reutersnbsp;
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