Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, met Byacheslav Volodin, speaker of the State Duma of the Russian Federation, who paid a congratulatory visit to the DPRK as the head of the delegation of the State Duma of the Russian Federation on the occasion of the 80 th anniversary of Korea’s liberation, in the afternoon of August 14.

The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un warmly greeted Byacheslav Volodin and had a friendly talk.

Volodin courteously conveyed the friendly greetings and congratulatory letter sent by Comrade Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, president of the Russian Federation, to the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un on the occasion of the 80 th anniversary of Korea’s liberation.

Comrade Kim Jong Un expressed deep thanks to President Putin for sending warm congratulations.

Warmly welcoming the visit to Pyongyang by Volodin and the delegation of the State Duma of the Russian Federation, Kim Jong Un said that the visit would serve as an occasion for adding significance to the 80 th anniversary of Korea’s liberation, further promoting the development of the DPRK-Russia relations already on a new level and deepening the friendly and fraternal feelings between the peoples of the two countries.

He referred to the fact that two days ago he had a phone conversation with Comrade Putin and agreed to expand and develop the DPRK-Russia bilateral cooperation in an all-round way and keep closer contact and communication between the state leaderships.

Stressing the importance of the position and role of the two parliaments in strengthening the political and cooperative relations between the two countries and creating a political and legislative environment favourable for the development of bilateral relations, Kim Jong Un hoped that the parliaments in the two countries would make joint efforts to ensure that new interstate treaties and agreements are fully implemented in all fields.

Expressing heartfelt thanks to the DPRK for dispatching excellent soldiers to the Kursk liberation operations for driving out the Ukrainian aggressors and for taking many measures helpful to defending the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Russia, Byacheslav Volodin said that Russia would never forget the DPRK people and government who rendered decisive assistance at the most crucial time and the heroic feats performed by the service personnel of the Korean People’s Army who fought at the cost of their lives in Russia.

Noting that the relations between the Russian Federation and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea made much progress and have been further consolidated thanks to the strategic leadership of the heads of state of the two countries, he expressed the will to make proactive efforts to activate exchange and cooperation between the parliaments of the two countries.

Conveying warm greetings of the DPRK government and people to the esteemed Russian President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin and the Russian people, Kim Jong Un wished Byacheslav Volodin and all the deputies to the State Duma of Russia greater success in their legislative activities for ensuring the socio-political stability of the country and promoting the economic development and people’s living.

The conversation proceeded in a warm and friendly atmosphere.