54 years ago, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the Syrian Arab Republic established diplomatic relations under the idea of independence, peace and friendship. The two countries have since shared the high goal all along and strengthened and developed the bonds of friendship and cooperation in the common struggles for opposing the imperialists’ aggression, interference, domination and subordination and safeguarding the sovereignty of their countries and the global peace.

The DPRK-Syria relations, which have been consistently carried on even in the upheavals of history, take their roots in the genuine friendship that was formed and nurtured in early days by the great leaders of the Korean people who forged special personal relations with the leaders of the Syrian Arab Republic fighting courageously by holding fast to the firm anti-imperialist stand.

When the great President Kim Il Sung met for the first time with President Hafez al-Assad who visited the DPRK in September, Juche 63 (1974), he warmly received him as a comrade-in-arms and brother standing on the same front of the anti-imperialist struggle, and whenever he received Syrian delegations, he highly appreciated the Syrian people who were maintaining a firm anti-imperialist stand under the leadership of H.E. President Hafez al-Assad.

The brotherhood of the preceding leaders of the two countries based on warm feelings and obligations was invariably succeeded by the great Chairman Kim Jong Il , and the strong friendship, unity and militant relationship between the DPRK and Syria are now further consolidated and developed at a higher level under the deep attention of the respected Chairman Kim Jong Un and President Bashar al-Assad.

When the delegation from the Syrian Arab Republic headed by the Deputy General Secretary of the Arab Baath Socialist Party paid a visit to our country to participate in the celebrations of the 60th anniversary of the victory in the great Fatherland Liberation War in July, Juche 102(2013), Chairman Kim Jong Un met with the delegation and deepened friendly feelings, and expressed full support to and solidarity with the righteous struggle of the Syrian people.

We always remember that the Syrian government and people have extended unstinted support and encouragement to the cause of the Korean people for achieving national reunification and consistently maintained a principled and firm stand on the Korean question in the international arena.

Today, under the leadership of President Bashar al-Assad, the Syrian people are making great advances in their efforts to liberate all territory of the country and to create a new life, while smashing the aggression and challenges of the hostile forces.

Our people strongly believe that the Syrian people would surely emerge victorious in their struggle for achieving territorial integrity, peaceful development and prosperity, and we will, as ever, strive to further expand and develop the long-standing and traditional DPRK-Syria relations of friendship and cooperation.

Secretary General of Korea-Arab Association