Russian and North Korean officials reaffirmed their resolve to develop their alliance.
According to the Workers' Party of Korea's organ Rodong Sinmun on the 21st, the North Korean Embassy in Russia held a banquet on the 17th to mark the 77th anniversary of the establishment of North Korea-Russia diplomatic ties (Oct. 12). Officials from Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of National Defense, and Ministry of Industry and Trade, as well as figures from United Russia, Russia's largest party, attended.
That day, Russia's vice foreign minister said, "After decades of testing, the Ro–Jo (Russia–North Korea) friendship has risen to a qualitatively new level of alliance." Referring to North Korea's troop dispatch to Russia's Kursk, the vice minister also said it "firmly proved our unity."
The vice minister emphasized, "At the most difficult and responsible time, brave Korean People's Army soldiers stood in the same ranks as Russian soldiers and fulfilled their combat missions excellently, even at the cost of their blood and lives, and we will never forget it."
The vice minister added, "I am confident that the friendly and cooperative relations will continue to expand and develop vigorously, contributing to strengthening stability and security on the Korean Peninsula and across Northeast Asia."
Sin Hong-chol, North Korea's ambassador to Russia, signaled an intention to carry North Korea-Russia relations into a full-fledged heyday, saying the two countries "are moving forward with confidence toward realizing common ideals and goals while closely cooperating on regional and international issues."
North Korea established diplomatic relations with the Soviet Union, Russia's predecessor, on Oct. 12, 1948. To mark the 77th anniversary of diplomatic ties, the Russian Embassy in North Korea also invited North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui and held a banquet in Pyongyang.