Vladimir Putin wrote in a letter to Kim Jong-un that the Russian Federation and the DPRK will “join efforts” to expand “comprehensive and constructive” bilateral relations. Excerpts from a letter sent by the Russian leader to the DPRK ruler on the occasion of Korean Independence Day on 15 August are quoted by the North Korean state news agency KCNA.

According to Putin, strengthening bilateral ties will serve the interests of both countries. Furthermore, together, Russia and North Korea will be able to strengthen “security and stability” on the Korean Peninsula and the entire Northeast Asia region, writes the Russian president.

The DPRK leader responded to Putin

Kim Jong-un also sent a letter to Putin, in which he indicated that “strategic and tactical cooperation, support and solidarity” between Russia and the DPRK had reached a new level. He emphasized “common efforts to prevent threats and
provocations by hostile military forces.” KCNA did not specify which hostile forces it referred to, but the North Korean leader often uses the term to refer to the United States and its allies, Reuters reported.

North Korea recognized the independence of the “DPR” and “LPR” in July, and Moscow raised the issue in Pyongyang of sending DPRK workers to restore Donbass.

North Korea prepares to test nuclear weapons

The UN and IAEA fear North Korea is preparing to carry out its first nuclear test since 2017. This is indicated by the activity that began in recent months in underground test site “Pungier” in the north of the country. According to satellite images, tunnels are being repaired and are rebuilding structures demolished in 2018 during negotiations with the United States. In 2006-2017, the DPRK held test site “Pungier” six nuclear tests.

US President Joe Biden said in May that Washington was ready for further tests of military equipment by North Korea. However, he did not rule out the possibility of a personal meeting with Kim Jong-un.