N. Korea's Kim vows to deepen ties with Russia in reply to Putin

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has pledged to expand and deepen joint efforts with Russia, according to a message sent to Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to state media. This comes as the two nations have been strengthening their military and economic ties. In his reply to Putin's congratulatory message for North Korea's 78th founding anniversary, which took place on September 9, Kim expressed his deep gratitude to the Russian leader.

The message, published by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), stated that North Korea remains firmly committed to expanding and deepening its joint work with Russia, based on the traditions of friendship, good neighborliness, and mutual aid, as well as the strong alliance between the two countries. While Kim did not specify the nature of the joint work, it seemed to indicate an increase in military and economic cooperation between North Korea and Russia.

The North Korean leader emphasized that the two countries were continuously writing a new chapter in the great history of alliance in the face of an uneven historical storm, and promised unwavering support.