DPRK ambassador to Russia confident of strengthening bilateral relationship

MOSCOW. Sept 7 (Interfax) - Relations between Pyongyang and Moscow will become stronger and develop in line with the shared interests of the two countries, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s ambassador to Russia said on Thursday.

"We are certain that relations between the DPRK and Russia, friendly neighbors with a rich history and tradition of friendship and cooperation, will further strengthen and develop in accordance with the requirements of the new era and the shared wishes and interests of the people of our two countries," Sin Hong-chol said at a function to mark the 75th anniversary of the DPRK's founding, celebrated on September 9.

"The position of the Workers' Party of Korea and of the government of our republic on the further development of the traditional Korean-Russian friendship at a higher level through consistent implementation of the agreements reached at a DPRK-Russia summit meeting is immutable," Sin said.

Pyongyang will remain a "firm advocate for peace and stability on the Korean peninsula and across the region," he said.

For his part, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov said that a "reliable foundation has been laid" between Moscow and Pyongyang, and that "this foundation is solid enough for [the two countries] to withstand modern challenges together, [and] will ensure the development of diverse practical cooperation and raise it to a qualitatively new level in line with the two countries' potential."

"The gradual recovery from the pandemic opens up good opportunities for more active bilateral ties in many areas, including in practical fields," he said.

"Today, after 75 years, our joint striving for mutually beneficial cooperation remains unchanged. Russian President Vladimir Putin and the DPRK President of the State Affairs, Kim Jong-un, devote a lot of their personal attention to strengthening our bilateral ties," Bogdanov said.

Russian Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin, who attended the event, said Moscow "aims to consistently expand the wide-ranging Russia-DPRK contacts, which is entirely in the interests of the two countries."