Putin: Russia and North Korea strive to strengthen the bonds of camaraderie and good neighborliness

Russia and North Korea today seek to strengthen the bonds of camaraderie and good neighborliness, working for the benefit of peace and prosperity in the region. This was stated by Russian President Vladimir Putin during an official dinner on the occasion of the visit of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

“Our relations were founded during Korea’s struggle for freedom in 1945, when Soviet and Korean soldiers crushed Japanese militarists shoulder to shoulder. Even today we strive to strengthen the bonds of camaraderie and good neighborliness. We act in the name of peace, stability and prosperity in our common region,” he said.

The President emphasized that the visit of the DPRK leader is taking place in a comradely, friendly atmosphere. Putin also raised a toast in honor of friendship between Russia and North Korea.

“I would like to propose a toast to the further strengthening of friendship and cooperation between our countries <...> for the well-being and prosperity of our peoples, for the health of the comrade chairman and all those present,” he said.

Today’s talks between Putin and Kim Jong-un in an expanded format at the Vostochny cosmodrome lasted about an hour and a half. Press Secretary of the Russian President Dmitry Peskov said earlier that the heads of state do not plan to sign any documents, including a joint declaration, based on the results of today’s negotiations. The leaders of the Russian Federation and the DPRK got acquainted with the progress of the assembly of the new Angara launch vehicle, as well as with the characteristics of the Soyuz-2 launch vehicle. Putin said Kim Jong Un is showing great interest in rocket technology as North Korea seeks to develop space exploration.

After the negotiations, Putin and the Sero-Korean leader held a tete-a-tete meeting, after which a dinner began, at which Kim Jong-un said that he was confident of Russia’s victory in the special operation in Ukraine.