{
  "id": 6340557,
  "title": "Xi, Putin pledge closer 'strategic' ties with N. Korea in founding anniv. messages",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/08/xi-putin-pledge-closer-strategic-ties-with-n-korea-in-founding-anniv",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-08T22:57:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/foreignaffairs/northkorea/20260909/xi-putin-pledge-closer-strategic-ties-with-n-korea-in-founding-anniv-messages"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin conveyed congratulatory messages to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on the nation's founding anniversary. Both leaders pledged to bolster strategic relations with Pyongyang, as reported by North Korea's state media. The letters were sent in the wake of North Korea's 78th anniversary of its founding on September 9, 1948, under the late leader Kim Il-sung, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). Xi highlighted Kim's recent achievements in economic and social development, emphasizing China's unwavering commitment to strengthening and advancing the China-DPRK relations. The DPRK refers to North Korea's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Xi further stated that the visit to Pyongyang in June marked the beginning of a new chapter in bilateral ties, vowing to collaborate with Kim to expedite the development of each side's party.",
  "summary": "Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin have sent congratulatory letters to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un marking the North's national founding anniversary, vowing to strengthen \"strategic\" relations with Pyongyang, North Korea's state media said Wednesday. The letters arrived as North Korea observed the 78th anniversary of its national founding on Sept. 9, 1948, by…",
  "key_points": [
    "Xi and Putin send congratulatory messages to Kim Jong-un on North Korea's 78th founding anniversary.",
    "Xi praises North Korea's economic and social development, vowing to strengthen China-DPRK relations.",
    "The June visit to Pyongyang marks the beginning of a new chapter in bilateral ties."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yonhap News",
        "title": "Xi, Putin pledge closer 'strategic' ties with N. Korea in founding anniv. messages",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/08/xi-putin-pledge-closer-strategic-ties-with-n-korea-in-founding-anniv-6342586",
        "published": "2026-09-08T22:29:42.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Xi, Putin pledge closer 'strategic' ties with N. Korea in founding anniv. messages",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/08/xi-putin-pledge-closer-strategic-ties-with-n-korea-in-founding-anniv-6342255",
        "published": "2026-09-08T23:07:03.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Kyiv Independent",
        "title": "Xi, Putin pledge stronger ties with North Korea on founding anniversary",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/08/xi-putin-pledge-stronger-ties-with-north-korea-on-founding-anniversary",
        "published": "2026-09-08T23:30:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}