N.Korean leader Kim stresses close ties with Russia ahead of Alaska summit
State-run Korean Central Television reported that Kim delivered a speech at a ceremony held on Thursday in Pyongyang to mark the Korean Peninsula's liberation from Japanese colonial rule 80 years ago.
Kim expressed appreciation for assistance provided by the army of the former Soviet Union, noting that the Russian people's efforts and sense of justice in helping North Korea in its war of liberation are a precious legacy of bilateral ties.
He said the friendship between the two countries has developed into an unprecedented alliance, adding that the two peoples will share a great honor reserved for victors.
South Korea's Yonhap News Agency said this is the first time Kim has delivered a public speech to mark the August 15 anniversary, adding that his recent phone talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin had been disclosed.
At a ceremony held the day before the anniversary, the Speaker of Russia's parliamentary lower house Vyacheslav Volodin read out a congratulatory message from Putin. Volodin is known as a close ally of Putin.
Volodin also stressed that the participation of North Korean troops in fighting to help reclaim the Kursk region from Ukrainian forces in western Russia highlights the solid bilateral ties.
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