The leader of the DPRK, Kim Jong-un left, speaks to Russian President Vladimir Putin during their talks in Vladivostok, Russia on April 25, 2019. ALEXEI NIKOLSKY SPUTNIK SEOUL - Russian President Vladimir Putin told the Democratic People s Republic of Korea top leader Kim Jong-un that the two countries will expand the comprehensive and constructive bilateral relations with common efforts, Pyongyang's state media reported on Monday.
In a letter to Kim for Korea's liberation day, Putin said closer ties would be in both countries' interests and would strengthen the security and stability of the Korean peninsula and Northeastern Asian region.
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Kim sent a letter to Putin, saying Russian-DPRK friendship had been forged in World War II with victory over Japan, which had occupied the Korean peninsula.
The joint efforts to frustrate threats and provocations from hostile military forces has resulted in a new level of strategic cooperation, support and solidarity between the two countries.
Kim predicted that cooperation between Russia and the DPRK would grow based on an agreement signed in 2019 when he met with Putin.
In July, the DPRK recognized the independence of Donetsk and Lugansk in eastern Ukraine. Ukraine immediately broke up with Pyongyang over the move.
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