Russian-N. Korean interaction based on equality, mutual respect - Putin

PYONGYANG. June 19 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin has emphasized Russian-North Korean relations based on equality and mutual respect at the beginning of expanded negotiations with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

"The interaction between our states is based on the principles of equality and mutual respect for each other's interests," Putin said.

He told Kim he sincerely appreciated his invitation to visit the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

"For decades, Russia and the DPRK have been connected by strong friendship and good neighborly relations," Putin said.

The exploits of previous generations lay a good foundation for present-day relations between Russia and North Korea, he said.

"The exploits of our predecessors lay a good foundation for the development of our relations today," Putin said.

Russian-Korean friendship was forged in hardship, Putin said. He noted that Soviet soldiers fought shoulder-to-shoulder with Korean patriots in 1945 to free Korea from Japanese invaders. "Our pilots performed tens of thousands of sorties during the liberation war of 1950-1953. As far as I know, the laying of wreaths at the Liberation Monument is on today's program," he said.

A new fundamental document has been drafted to lay a long-term foundation for Russian-North Korean relations, Putin said.

"As a result of your visit to Russia last year, we made much headway in developing contemporary interstate relations. A new fundamental document has been drafted to lay a long-term foundation for our relations," he said.

Russia and North Korea marked the 75th anniversary of bilateral relations in 2023 and the 75th anniversary of the first bilateral document, the Agreement on Economic and Cultural Cooperation, will be observed this year, Putin said. "As you know, the agreement was signed by Comrade Kim Il Sung during his first visit to Moscow," Putin said.

Putin said he has no doubt that his negotiations with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will be productive.

"I am sure that today's negotiations will be productive," Putin said in his opening remarks.

The heads of national governments and ministries are working hard to implement the agreements reached during Kim's visits to Russia in 2019 and 2023, he said.

A full-scale meeting of the Russian-North Korean Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation took place in Pyongyang in November 2023, and the commission co-chairs met in Moscow in March 2024, Putin said.

He said he was hoping to meet with Kim next time in Moscow.

"I am happy to meet again and hope that our next meeting will take place in Russia, in Moscow," Putin said and thanked Kim for inviting him to Pyongyang.