The message reads, in part:
“This holiday symbolises the courage and resilience of Korean patriots and Red Army soldiers who fought side by side to liberate your country from Japanese colonial rule. It was in those harsh years that strong traditions of combat brotherhood and mutual assistance were forged, laying the foundations for the development of friendly, neighbourly ties between the Russian Federation and the DPRK.
Today, relations between Moscow and Pyongyang have reached an unprecedented level of comprehensive strategic partnership. Our countries are engaging in close cooperation across a wide range of areas and are coordinating their efforts to ensure regional security and stability.
I am confident that we will continue our constructive joint work on pressing issues on both the bilateral and international agendas – for the benefit of the Russian and Korean peoples, and in the interests of building a more just and truly democratic world order.”