April 25 is a meaningful day that marks the 5 th anniversary of the first historic meeting between Comrade Kim Jong Un , President of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and Comrade Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, President of the Russian Federation.

In April 2019, Comrade Kim Jong Un , President of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea paid the first official goodwill visit to the Russian Federation and had a historic meeting with Comrade President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin.

This was a historic event that brought about a turning point in further developing the strategic and traditional relations of friendship between the two countries in conformity with the demands of the new era and new developments of the situation.

Agreed at the meeting and talk between respected Comrade Kim Jong Un , President of the State Affairs and Comrade President Putin were detailed direction and measures to further promote mutual understanding, trust, friendship and cooperation and to encourage the development of the DPRK-Russia friendship in the new century.

Since the 2019 DPRK-Russia summit, the peoples of the two countries developed the bilateral relations in several areas including politics, the economy and culture by strengthening exchange and cooperation in the common interests, overcoming the difficulties and ordeals encountered.

Although the two countries faced global public health crisis and other unexpected obstacles in this process, the bilateral relations advanced along the only road of vigorous development without a stop, having the agreements reached in the DPRK-Russia summit as a cornerstone.

Following the 2019 Summit, another DPRK-Russia Summit was held in 2023.

True to the spirit of the agreement reached at the historic Summit, the two countries have further strengthened strategic and tactical cooperation and extended full support and solidarity to each other on the common front to smash the military threats and provocations, and high-handed and arbitrary practices of the imperialists.

They are now reliably defending national sovereignty and rights to development, peace and security of the region and the world at large, and international justice.

Comrade Kim Jong Un , President of the State Affairs of the DPRK, gave precious instructions to cement the bonds of the traditional neighborly cooperation between the DPRK and Russia, boost the bilateral relations in all fields, and strengthen close contacts and cooperation, so as to make substantial contributions to promoting the welfare of the two peoples.

The historic DPRK-Russia Summit created an uplifted atmosphere for the development of bilateral relations.

Last year, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Natural Resources and Ecology, and the Governor of Primorsky Krai of the Russian Federation visited the DPRK, and the Minister of Culture and the Minister of Physical Culture and Sports of the DPRK visited Russia.

The 10 th Meeting of the DPRK-Russia Inter-Governmental Committee for Cooperation in Trade, Economy, Science and Technology was successfully held in Pyongyang with the participation of representatives from various organs of both countries, thus actively promoting the development of the bilateral relations.

On entering this year, both sides have shown greater enthusiasm for cooperation.

In March, the art troupe from Mariinsky Branch Theatre of Primorsky Krai gave performance in Pyongyang on the occasion of the 75 th anniversary of the DPRK-Russia agreement on economic and cultural cooperation, adding highlights to the celebration of the anniversary.

Exchanges of delegations at various levels are being revitalized and cooperation programs are proceeded well in several fields including agriculture, education, public health and culture.

It is the consistent stand of the DPRK government to attach utmost importance to the DPRK-Russia relations and invariably develop the tradition of deep-rooted friendship.

The DPRK-Russia relations rooted in comradeship and militant unity will steadily develop into the invincible comradely relations and the eternal strategic relations under the special care of Comrade Kim Jong Un , President of the State Affairs of the DPRK, and Comrade Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation.

We firmly believe that Russia will brave all challenges and difficulties and certainly achieve the objectives of the special military operation in Ukraine.

We will always stand in the same trench with the Russian army and people who have turned out in the righteous struggle to defend the sovereign rights and security interests of the state.

Pyongyang, April 25, Juche 113(2024)