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Chairman of State Affairs of the DPRK Kim Jong-un (retranslated): Comrade President Vladimir Putin,

On behalf of the Government and the people ofthe Democratic People's Republic of Korea, I wholeheartedly welcome you to Pyongyang 24 years after your first visit here.

This visit by Comrade President Putin to Pyongyang reaffirms the high quality of Russia-DPRK relations, which have entered a period of high-pace development. It is a momentous event of extraordinary strategic significance in the history of Russian-Korean relations.

I believe that the enthusiasm displayed by our people upon your arrival has reaffirmed the true nature of our relationship.

Relations between our countries are entering a new period of high development that cannot be compared even to the Korean-Soviet relationship of last century. I have no doubt that the passionate friendship between our nations will grow even stronger during your visit.

The Government ofthe Democratic People's Republic of Korea has the highest regard for the important mission and role of the Russian Federation as a strong power in maintaining strategic stability and balance in the world. Our Government fully supports and expresses solidary with the Russian Government, army and people who are waging the special military operation in Ukraine to protect their sovereignty, security interests and territorial integrity.

The global situation is rapidly changing and becoming more complicated. In this context, we intend to continue to strengthen our strategic interaction with Russia and the Russian leadership. We also reaffirm our unwavering support for Russian policy as a whole.

I hope that during our meeting today we will exchange powerful ideas and constructive views to further promote bilateral cooperation and mutual exchanges in all spheres. We will also discuss international issues.

Once again, welcome to Pyongyang.

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Chairman of State Affairs Comrade Kim Jong-un, friends,

I was truly happy to accept your invitation to visit the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

There are decades of close friendship and cooperation between Russia and the DPRK. Our countries’ interaction is based on the principles of equality and respect for each other’s interests.

Last year, we marked 75 years of diplomatic relations and this year – the 75^th anniversary of the first interstate document, the Agreement on Economic and Cultural Cooperation. As you know, that agreement was signed by Comrade Kim Il-sung during his visit to Moscow.

Following your visit to Russia last year, we have made significant progress in strengthening modern-day ties between our countries. Today, a new fundamental document has been prepared, which will form the backbone of our relationship in the long term.

Russian-Korean friendship was forged during a difficult period. In 1945, Soviet soldiers fought side by side with Korean patriots for the liberation of Korea from Japanese invaders. Our pilots made tens of thousands of combat flights during the 1950–1953 liberation war. Today we will lay wreaths at the Liberation Monument. The heroism of our predecessors is a solid foundation for the further development of our relations today.

We highly value your consistent and unwavering support for Russian policy, including in relation to Ukraine. I am referring to our struggle against the hegemonistic and imperialist policy towards the Russian Federation, which the United States and its satellite states have been dictating for decades.

The heads of our governments and relevant agencies are working hard to implement the agreements reached during your visits to Russia in 2019 and 2023.

In November 2023, Pyongyang hosted the 10^th meeting of the Russian-Korean Intergovernmental Commission for Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation. In March 2024, the co-chairs of the commission met in Moscow. I have no doubt that our talks today will be effective as well.

Concluding my opening remarks, I would like to express my admiration for the positive changes that have taken place in the capital of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea over the past years. I am truly impressed by the visible transformations that have taken place in Pyongyang since my previous visit in 2000.

The city has become very beautiful, thanks to the selfless work of the Korean people under your guidance. It is genuinely a pleasure to see this.

I am delighted to see you again, and I hope that our next meeting will take place in Moscow.

Once again, thank you for inviting me here.