Congratulating On The Success Of The Winter Olympics, Kim Jong-un Says China-Korea Will Thwart US Threats

JAKARTA - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un vowed to strengthen cooperation with China, jointly 'thwarting' hostile threats and policies from the United States and its allies, state media said on Tuesday.

Leader Kim made the remarks in an oral message to Chinese President Xi Jinping, congratulating him on the successful completion of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, state news agency KCNA said in a summary.

North Korea and China defend and advance socialism, while "thwarting the undisguised hostile policies and threats of the US military and its satellite forces" by strengthening cooperation and strategic unity, Kim said.

Leader Kim further praised the Winter Olympics, for making a mark on history, saying under Xi's leadership, China has persisted in the face of "unprecedentedly severe health crises and maneuvers of enemy forces."

However, it is known that North Korea did not participate in the Winter Olympics, which ended last Sunday.

In an earlier letter from sports authorities in January, North Korea blamed "enemy forces" and the risk of COVID-19, preventing the North Korean contingent from taking part in the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.

Please note, North Korean athletes are ineligible to compete under their national flag, after the country failed to send a team to last year's Tokyo Summer Olympics, citing COVID-19 concerns.

Meanwhile, China has been North Korea's only major ally since the two signed the agreement in 1961.