Russian President Vladimir Putin has described Russia and North Korea as actively cooperating across all sectors while working together on regional security and stability. Putin made the remarks in a message to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on the occasion of Liberation Day, according to North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). The message underlined the deepening ties between Moscow and Pyongyang.

Putin said the relationship between Russia and North Korea had been elevated to a comprehensive strategic partnership. He added that the two countries would pursue constructive joint initiatives on pressing bilateral and international issues. North Korea marks Liberation Day on August 15 to commemorate the liberation of the Korean Peninsula from Japanese colonial rule in 1945.

The Russian leader's message comes amid closer military and political cooperation between the two countries. Putin recently expressed gratitude to North Korean authorities for their decision to send soldiers from the Korean People's Army to participate in what Moscow described as the liberation of the Kursk region. The development has further underscored the growing strategic relationship between Russia and North Korea.

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During a meeting with North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui, Putin also thanked Pyongyang for its support for Russia's military operation. He specifically referred to the deployment of North Korean soldiers to participate in the Kursk operation. The remarks were reported by Russia's state-owned TASS news agency and came as the two countries continued to strengthen their cooperation.

Choe Son-hui travelled to Russia on an official plane at the invitation of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, KCNA reported. North Korean state media did not provide further details about the purpose of her visit or her itinerary. Her trip marked her first visit to Russia since October, when she travelled to Moscow on a working visit and later visited Belarus to attend an international security forum.

Putin's latest message to Kim reflects the continued expansion of Moscow-Pyongyang ties under their comprehensive strategic partnership. The two governments have increasingly emphasised cooperation on bilateral and international matters, while their engagement has also drawn attention because of its military dimension and implications for security in the region. North Korea's Liberation Day provided the occasion for Putin to reaffirm the importance Moscow places on its relationship with Pyongyang.

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