N. Korean, Russian leaders agree to improve ties

SEOUL, Aug. 15 (Yonhap) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-il and Russian President
Dmitry Medvedev called for improved relations between their countries Saturday,
displaying the strength of their alliance despite ongoing U.N. sanctions against
the North for its second atomic test.

The calls came in letters of greeting the two exchanged Saturday, marking the
64th anniversary of Korea's liberation from Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule,
according to reports by the North's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
"I extend greetings to you and the Russian people and express belief that the
relations between the DPRK and the Russian Federation will develop in the
interests of the peoples of the two countries," Kim was quoted as telling the
Russian president in his letter. The DPRK stands for the North's official name,
the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
Medvedev offered his congratulations on the anniversary of Korea's liberation
while reminding Kim of the close relations between his country and the former
Soviet Union.
"We appreciate the fact that the DPRK sets store by the memory of the soldiers of
the Soviet Army who laid down their lives in the battles for crushing Japanese
militarism in the Far East," the KCNA reported Medvedev as saying.
The Russian president also wished for the "good health and happiness" of Kim, who
reportedly suffered a stroke a year ago, according to the report.
Russia joined 14 other members of the U.N. Security Council in June to
unanimously pass a resolution condemning North Korea's second atomic test on May
25, even though it had the authority to reject the resolution as a veto-wielding
permanent member of the council.
The exchange of letters Saturday between the North Korean and Russian leaders
suggests that the countries continue to value their longstanding relationship
forged during the Cold War era.
An official at South Korea's presidential office Cheong Wa Dae said such a letter
can be viewed as part of customary protocol, noting the South, too, receives
congratulatory letters from various heads of state, including Russia, on national
holidays.
South Korea established diplomatic ties with Russia in 1990.
bdk@yna.co.kr
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