North Korea Hosts Banquet in Russia for 78th Anniversary of Diplomatic Ties, Highlighting "Invincible Comradeship"

North Korea held a banquet in Russia to commemorate the 78th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, reaffirming its commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation based on their "blood alliance."

The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported today (October 19) that the North Korean Embassy in Russia hosted a banquet on October 13 to mark the 78th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two nations.

Invited to the banquet were Alexander Kozlov, Russia's Minister of Natural Resources and Environment who serves as the Russian chairman of the Intergovernmental Committee for Cooperation in Trade, Economy, Science and Technology between North Korea and Russia, as well as figures from the Russian government, parliament, political parties, and organizations, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Federation Council, the State Duma, and the Communist Party of the Russian Federation.

In a speech, North Korean Ambassador to Russia Sin Hong-chol stated that friendly relations between North Korea and Russia are "entering an unprecedented high phase driven by the most sincere relations" established between President of the State Affairs Commission Kim Jong-un and President Vladimir Putin.

Ambassador Sin emphasized that the meeting between the leaders of the two countries "demonstrated once again the solidity and veracity of DPRK-Russia friendly relations and elevated bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership and an invincible comradeship," adding that "it is the steadfast policy of our Republic's government to steadily expand and advance joint projects."

Minister Kozlov responded that the anniversary of diplomatic ties is commemorated as "the day when multifaceted and mutually beneficial cooperation between two equal sovereign states began," noting that the Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership signed between North Korea and Russia in 2024 is "a token demonstrating the aspirations of the two countries for respect, trust, and shared prosperity."

A Russian deputy foreign minister said, "The clearest proof of unity is the participation of Korean (North Korean) soldiers in the operation to liberate the Kursk region," adding that "amid changes in the current situation, the two countries maintain a common stance on major regional and international issues."

A Russian deputy defense minister expressed confidence that the strengthening of the partnership between the two countries "will make a significant contribution to ensuring security in the region and the world."

The state news agency added that North Korean representative offices in Vladivostok and Khabarovsk, Russia, also hosted banquets on October 13 and October 16, respectively, to mark the 78th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

In Pyongyang, Russian Ambassador to North Korea Andrei Leonidovich Podelyshev also held a commemorative banquet at the Taedonggang Diplomatic Club on October 14.
 

(Photo: KCNA, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.