The Russian president has published an article in North Korean state-owned newspaper praising cooperation between the two countries.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has published an article in North Korea’s state-owned newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, praising the cooperation between the two nations on the eve of his visit to the country and meeting with its leader, Kim Jong Un.
Rodong Sinmun serves as the official newspaper of the Central Committee of the Workers‘ Party of Korea. Putin’s article is a rare instance of a foreign leader contributing to North Korea’s tightly controlled media, reflecting the strengthening ties between Moscow and Pyongyang and likely to frame any future support that North Korea will lend to Russia as part of a common struggle against the West
In the piece, titled „Russia and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea: Tradition of Friendship and Cooperation Lasts Decade after Decade“, Putin stated that he wants to tell readers in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) and abroad about the prospect of the partnership between the two countries and its significance in the present world before he pays a state visit, as reported by KCNA Watch.
Putin’s article reflected on the historical roots of the relationship between the two countries, noting the role played by the Soviet Union in the establishment of the DPRK in 1948 and that the Soviet Union was the first country to establish diplomatic relations with North Korea.
„The friendship and good neighborly relations between Russia and the DPRK based on the principles of equality, mutual respect and trust have passed 70 years and been recorded with the glorious historic tradition“, the article said, as reported by KCNA Watch.