Kim Jong-un Calls His Visit Shows Strategic Interest, Russia Praises Good Relations For 75 Years

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un received by Minister Alexander Kozlov. (Source: Press office of the Primary Region Government via TASS)

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said his visit to Russia showed the strategic interests of the two countries, while Moscow officials praised the good relations between the two countries so far, ahead of the meeting of the two country leaders scheduled for today.

Leader Kim reportedly arrived in Russian territory on Tuesday morning local time. He was greeted by Russian Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Alexander Kozlov at Khasan Station, Primorye Region.

"Chairman of the Inter-Government Commission of North Russia-North Korea, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Alexander Kozlov received the Leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (Kim Jong Un) at the Khasan station in the Primorye Region," according to a ministry statement, reported by TASS September 13.

Meanwhile, Kozlov wrote on his Telegram channel Russia and North Korea have been good friends for 75 years.

"So far we have supported and helped each other, not only as neighbors, but also as close partners," Kozlov wrote.

Separately, the KCNA government news agency on Wednesday reported that Leader Kim said his visit to Russia was clear evidence of the "strategic interest" in relations between the two countries.

"Kim Jong-un said his visit to the Russian Federation was a tangible manifestation of the attitude of the WPK and the DPRK government which prioritized the strategic interests of DPRK-Russia relations," the KCNA report said.

The DPRK stands for North Korea's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, while the WPK is the Korean Workers' Party, the only ruling party in the closed country.

The trip marks Kim's first visit to Russia in nearly four years, his first overseas visit after a worldwide public health crisis, according to KCNA, referring to the COVID-19 pandemic.

As previously reported, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said leader Kim was scheduled to hold a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

There is no clear location yet, but Peskov said it would be held in the Far East. Peskov said the talks would be held between the two delegates and in a four-eye format, followed by an official dinner.

President Putin arrived in Vladivostok on Monday to attend the plenary session of the Eastern Economic Forum which runs until this Wednesday. There has been no confirmation whether Leader Kim will attend the forum, but a meeting with President Putin will be held after the forum, Peskov said.