North Korea’s Kim and Russia’s Putin reaffirm ties on Korean Liberation Day

Seoul - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un expressed solidarity with Russia's President Vladimir Putin during a message marking the 81st anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War Two, according to the state-run KCNA news agency. The celebration coincided with Korea's Liberation Day on Sunday. Putin praised the bond between the two countries, which has deepened since North Korea began sending troops and weapons to aid Russia's military campaign against Ukraine, the most significant involvement in a conflict since the 1950s.

Kim expressed optimism for the future of the relationship, emphasizing its role in advancing the struggle for justice and maintaining longstanding friendship. The Russian ship Pallada docked at Wonsan port for a ceremonial visit coinciding with the anniversary, greeted by North Korean officials and Russian embassy staff. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, during the country's Liberation Day ceremony, called for dialogue between the two Koreas to explore ways to reduce tensions and potentially replace the current armistice with a peace treaty, following the end of the 1950-1953 Korean War in a ceasefire agreement.

However, North Korea has rejected Lee's proposals and accused the United States and South Korea of military exercises as provocations. On Thursday, Putin's visit to a disputed island off Hokkaido, claimed by Japan, was met with condemnation from Tokyo following North Korea's seizure of the territory shortly after Japan's 1945 surrender.