Top DPRK leader greets Russia on National Day

PYONGYANG - The top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Kim Jong Un on Friday sent to Russian President Vladimir Putin a congratulatory message on the national day of the Russian Federation, which was released by the official KCNA news agency.

"DPRK-Russia friendly relations with a long history and tradition have successfully developed in the spirit of the joint documents adopted at the top-level talks in the new century," Kim said in the message.

He said he is convinced the "bilateral relations would develop on a higher stage this year, the year of friendship."

The Russian embassy in the DPRK held a reception Thursday to mark the national day, which was attended by senior DPRK officials including Vice Premier Ro Tu Chol and Cultural Minister Pak Chun Nam.

Russian ambassador to the DPRK Alexandr Matsegora said that Russia is willing to boost traditional and friendly relations with the DPRK.

Ro said Kim, the DPRK's top leader, is paying great attention to developing the relations with Russia and that it is the consistent stand of the DPRK government to boost friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries.

In March, both Pyongyang and Moscow announced 2015 as a year of friendship between the DPRK and Russia, in which the two countries planned to intensify exchanges of delegation visits and contacts, and jointly hold cultural events in cities including Pyongyang and Moscow.