North Korean media reveals content of Putin's message to Kim Jong-un

Kim Jong Un is ready to visit Russia at the invitation of President Putin. Source: Yonhap

Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a congratulatory message to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea on September 9, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported. "I would like to extend my sincere congratulations on the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and to confirm with pleasure the friendly nature of the relations between the Russian Federation and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea," the Russian president said.

According to KCNA, President Vladimir Putin also expressed confidence that Moscow and Pyongyang will jointly “consolidate and expand bilateral dialogue and cooperation in various areas. This is in line with the common desire of the people of the two countries to strengthen security and stability on the Korean Peninsula in particular and in Northeast Asia in general,” Putin’s telegram read.

On September 9, North Korea held a military parade to celebrate the 70th anniversary of its founding. Russian Senate Speaker Valentina Matviyenko delivered a personal message to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on behalf of Russian President Putin during their meeting on September 8.

Putin previously said Russia was ready to take a new step in establishing economic ties with North Korea. On June 4, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov invited the North Korean leader to visit Russia, possibly on the occasion of the Eastern Economic Forum scheduled for September 11-13. Both the Russian president and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un have confirmed their visits to the Russian Federation.