North's Kim thanks Putin for congratulating him on re-election as president of state affairs
Published: 25 Mar. 2026, 09:37
Updated: 25 Mar. 2026, 15:43
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- KIM JU-YEON
- [email protected]
![North Korean leader Kim Jong-un speaks at the second day of the Supreme People's Assembly in Pyongyang on March 23 in this photo carried by the Korean Central News Agency on March 24. [YONHAP]](https://koreaseafood.online/data/photo/2026/03/25/0dd0a7a8-de5b-4a0f-b613-979d39676e14.jpg)
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un speaks at the second day of the Supreme People's Assembly in Pyongyang on March 23 in this photo carried by the Korean Central News Agency on March 24. [YONHAP]
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un expressed his gratitude to Russian President Vladimir Putin for congratulating him on his re-election as president of state affairs, voicing hope for continued strong ties between the two nations, state media reported Wednesday.
Kim made the remarks in a reply to Putin Tuesday after he was re-elected as president of the state affairs commission on Sunday at the first meeting of the 15th Supreme People's Assembly, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). It marked his third consecutive term since the nation's top policy guidance body was created in 2016.
"I express my sincere thanks to you for sending warm and sincere congratulations first on my reassumption of this heavy duty as president of state affairs," Kim said in his message to Putin.
The North's leader said he's convinced that firm relations and trust between them will "undoubtedly guarantee the durability and future purposefulness" between North Korea and Russia and "powerfully promote the development and well-being" of the peoples of the two nations.
“Pyongyang will always be with Moscow. This is our choice and unshakable will," Kim said.
![In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin, right, and North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un, center, leave after their meeting in Beijing, China, on September 3, 2025. [AFP/YONHAP]](https://koreaseafood.online/data/photo/2026/03/25/4b40acbf-8f30-4cda-a092-5b1cdc3c1ab0.jpg)
In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin, right, and North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un, center, leave after their meeting in Beijing, China, on September 3, 2025. [AFP/YONHAP]
Putin sent a congratulatory message to Kim earlier this week, expressing hope that the two nations will continue to closely cooperate to develop their comprehensive strategic partnership.
Pyongyang and Moscow have been deepening military cooperation since they signed a mutual defense treaty in June 2024. North Korea has sent troops and conventional weapons to Russia to aid its war against Ukraine.
Kim had meanwhile formally recognized South Korea as the "most hostile state" in his Tuesday's address at the assembly and threatened consequences against potential provocations, while vowing to advance North Korea's "defensive nuclear deterrence" to address any threats to its security.
![Belarus' President Alexander Lukashenko speaks during a session of the World Atomic Week international forum, an event dedicated to the global nuclear industry and related sectors, in Moscow on Sept. 25, 2025. [REUTERS/YONHAP]](https://koreaseafood.online/data/photo/2026/03/25/3d9adf92-3de3-43b5-9734-ee2b0edcf495.jpg)
Belarus' President Alexander Lukashenko speaks during a session of the World Atomic Week international forum, an event dedicated to the global nuclear industry and related sectors, in Moscow on Sept. 25, 2025. [REUTERS/YONHAP]
The leaders of Vietnam and Belarus also sent messages congratulating Kim on his re-election, the KCNA said in a separate dispatch.
Vietnam's President Luong Cuong hoped for deeper ties with North Korea, and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko also expressed his interest in "actively expanding political and economic relations with North Korea at various levels."
The North said Wednesday that Lukashenko will visit North Korea at the invitation of Kim.
Russia's news media reported that the Belarusian leader will visit Pyongyang on Wednesday and Thursday for talks with Kim.
It would mark Lukashenko’s first visit to North Korea. He has led Belarus, a close ally of Russia, as its only president since 1994.
BY KIM JU-YEON, YONHAP [[email protected]]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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