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North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has told Russian President Vladimir Putin that he is “proud” of the strong relationship between their two countries, North Korean state media reported Sunday.
The exchange comes as North Korea has deepened its support for Russia since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
North Korea has reportedly provided troops and military support to Russia in return for economic benefits and military technology.
“I am always proud to be able to expect more excellent future of the bilateral relations by leading, together with you, the DPRK-Russia ties that has carried forward the history of common struggle,” Kim said in a letter to Putin, according to the Korean Central News Agency.
Kim also expressed confidence that Russia would prosper and protect its “territorial integrity” under Putin’s “wise leadership”.
Putin had sent a letter to Kim on Friday to mark Korea’s liberation from Japanese colonial rule at the end of World War II.
In his letter, Putin said relations between Russia and North Korea had reached an “unprecedentedly high level of comprehensive strategic partnership”.
“Our states are actively cooperating in all the sectors while making concerted efforts to ensure the regional security and stability,” Putin said.
The exchange comes after Ukraine accused Russia this month of using North Korean ballistic missiles in a strike that killed at least nine people and injured dozens.
Ukraine has also claimed that up to 50,000 North Korean troops could be deployed to Russia.
Kyiv has not provided evidence or a timeline to support the claim.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has asked South Korea to provide air defence systems to help protect Ukraine from Russian missile attacks.
Seoul has not responded to the request.
