Pyongyang, June 20 (KCNA) -- Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, had talks with Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, president of the Russian Federation, on June 19.

Prior to the talks, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un had a photo taken with Comrade Putin against the background of the national flags of the two countries at the Kumsusan State Guesthouse.

Present at the talks from the DPRK side were Kim Tok Hun, premier of the DPRK Cabinet, Choe Son Hui, minister of Foreign Affairs of the DPRK, Pak Jong Chon, vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission of the WPK and secretary of the WPK Central Committee, Kim Song Nam, director of the International Department of the WPK Central Committee, Yun Jong Ho, minister of External Economic Relations who is chairman of the DPRK side to the DPRK-Russia Inter-governmental Committee for Cooperation in Trade, Economy, Science and Technology, and Im Chon Il, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs.

Present from the Russian side were Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Mantrov, Deputy Prime Minister Alexandr Nobak, Aide to the President of Russia for Foreign Policy Yuri Ushakov, Minister of Defense Andrei Beloussov, Minister of Natural Resources and Ecology and Chairman of the Russian side to the Russia-DPRK Inter-governmental Committee for Cooperation in Trade, Economy, Science and Technology Alexandr Kozlov, other entourage members and Russian Ambassador to the DPRK Alexandr Matsegora.

At the talks Kim Jong Un, on behalf of the DPRK government and people, warmly welcomed President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin on a state visit to the DPRK with feelings of friendship and comradeship.

Noting that the great wave of welcome, which pervaded the streets of Pyongyang today, vividly reflects the present state of the relations between the two countries which entered a new period of overall efflorescence, he said that Putin’s visit would be a strategic step of significance in developing the DPRK-Russia good-neighbourly relations, further consolidating the friendship between the peoples of the two countries and the basis of their mindsets and defending global peace and stability.

Appreciating the important mission and role the Russian Federation assumes in foiling the imperialists' hegemony-seeking policy, maintaining the strategic stability and balance of the world and building a peaceful multipolar world, he affirmed that the DPRK government would further strengthen the strategic communication with the Russian leadership to cope with the ever-changing complicated international political situation and consolidate the foundation for the invincible DPRK-Russia friendship and solidarity.

Putin said that he was very pleased to visit the DPRK at the invitation of President of the State Affairs Kim Jong Un, adding that the Russia-DPRK relations have vigorously developed in all fields, including politics, the economy and culture, since the historic meeting at Vostochny Spaceport.

Noting that he was deeply touched by the sincere welcome of Pyongyang citizens today, he said he was greatly impressed by the very beautiful appearance of the capital city of Pyongyang, which has changed beyond recognition under the wise guidance of Comrade Kim Jong Un and thanks to the devoted efforts of the diligent Korean people.

Saying that the deep friendship and close good neighbourliness based on the principle of equality and mutual respect are linking the Russian Federation with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, he expressed belief that the current talks would prove very effective.

The top leaders of the two countries candidly discussed the long-term plans for steadily expanding the practical action measures for comprehensively implementing the agreements reached at the summit in September 2023 and for promoting mutual trust by further boosting the multi-faceted exchange and cooperation between the two countries.

At the talks, they had a wide-ranging and in-depth exchange of views on the crucial changes recently taking place in the world political arena and on the international and regional issues of mutual concern, and reached a consensus. They also discussed the important issues arising in further improving the strategic cooperation and tactical collaboration to promote the well-being of the peoples of the two countries and defend their core interests.

Expressed at the talks was the Russian government’s deep apprehension over the negative impact of the irresponsible and unreasonable provocations of the US and its allies seriously threatening the security environment of the Korean peninsula on the sovereign rights and security interests of the DPRK and regional and global peace and stability. And reconfirmed were the full support and solidarity of the DPRK government and people to the Russian counterparts as regards the special military operations in Ukraine.

The talks were followed by one-on-one talks between Kim Jong Un and Putin.

They discussed important issues for at least two hours.

The top leaders talked about the issue of developing the relations between the two countries into comprehensive strategic partnership and expanding them in an all-round way and reached a perfect consensus on it, and came to a satisfactory agreement on the important issues arising in defending regional and global peace and international justice and on the matters of immediate cooperation.

The talks proceeded in a friendly and comradely atmosphere.

After the talks, Kim Jong Un presented gifts to Putin in commemoration of his visit to the DPRK.

Putin expressed deep thanks for this and presented Kim Jong Un with gifts reflecting his utmost sincerity.

The historic Pyongyang talks between the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un and the respected Comrade Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin are a great event which injected great vitality into the cause of building powerful countries of the Korean and Russian peoples, who are dynamically advancing along the road of justice and truth with anti-imperialist independence as the ideological basis, and which opened up a new heyday of friendship between the DPRK and Russia and their relations of strategic cooperation. -0-