With the traditional relations of friendship between Korea and Russia further strengthening in conformity with the requirements of the new era, we are now greeting the meaningful occasion when the DPRK-Russia Moscow Declaration was signed. The friendly ties between the two countries have been developing by dint of strong bond of unity, mutual understanding and trust.

It was twenty-three years ago from now, on August 4, 2001 when great Comrade Kim Jong Il paid an official visit to the Russian Federation and signed the historic DPRK-Russia Moscow Declaration that would serve as a powerful driving force for safeguarding peace and security of the Asia-Pacific region and the rest of the world, and also in ensuring co-prosperity and equal and reciprocal cooperation. By doing so, he made an indelible contribution to the development of bilateral relations.

The historic visit to the Russian Federation made by great Comrade Kim Jong Il in the new century was an epoch-making event in that it provided a turning point in further expanding and developing the friendly relations between Korea and Russia. It was also a great event of historic significance that contributed to preserving peace and security on the Korean peninsula, in Asia-Pacific region and the rest of the world.

Great Comrade Kim Jong Il visited Russia again in 2002 and 2011 respectively, further strengthening the bond of Korea-Russia friendship.

During those days, dynamic visits and contacts were made at different levels between the two countries accompanied by a wide exchange of views on issues of bilateral and international concern. All these contributed to the cultivation of the flower garden of Korea-Russia friendship.

The DPRK-Russia relations of friendship have been further consolidated through trials and tribulations of history. Having stood the test of time, they are now steadily developing into the future-oriented, strategic relations thanks to the wise leadership and meticulous care of respected Comrade Kim Jong Un and Comrade Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin.

Out of the strong will to bring about an overall rejuvenation of the Korea-Russia friendship in the new era and write a new history of bilateral relations, respected Comrade Kim Jong Un had a meaningful meeting and talks with Comrade Putin in Vladivostok in April 2019, in Vostochny Spaceport in September 2023 and in Pyongyang in June this year.

On June 19 this year in Pyongyang, the inter-state treaty on establishing a comprehensive and strategic partnership on the principles of equality, respect for sovereignty, good neighbourliness and mutual benefit was signed between the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the Russian Federation.

It is the invariable stand of the government of our Republic to build on the new inter-state treaty and further develop on a permanent basis the invincible relations of friendship between the two countries that have taken a new path of overall development, strongly supporting and closely cooperating with the Russian Federation in a multifaceted, all-round way.

The great comradely unity and militant friendship between the DPRK and the Russian Federation, highly elevated to a comprehensive and strategic partnership and an invincible comradeship in the new era, will serve as a banner of struggle for the progressive humankind aspiring after a just and peaceful new world. With its roots struck deeply in the cherished tradition between the two countries, the Korea-Russia relations will steadily advance towards a new higher stage of its development.