Kim Jong-un Re-elected as North Korean President, Putin: We will continue strategic partnership

JAKARTA - President Vladimir Putin assured that the strategic partnership between Russia and North Korea would continue, in a congratulatory message sent to Leader Kim Jong-un.

The Kremlin leader conveyed his congratulations on Kim's re-election as President of State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, according to a congratulatory telegram posted on the Kremlin's website.

"Dear Comrade Kim Jong-un, accept my sincere congratulations on your re-election as President of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea," the document reads, launching TASS (23/3).

The North Korean government news agency KCNA reported on Monday, "The Supreme People's Assembly (SPA) of the DPRK re-elected Kim Jong-un as President of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea at the First Session, the first state affairs activity of the 15th term, on March 22."

The report said the decision to re-elect Kim to the "highest office" reflected the "will and unanimous desire of the entire Korean people," as quoted by Channel News Asia.

According to President Putin, the decision of the members of parliament of the Supreme People's Assembly clearly shows the unanimous public support for the efforts of the North Korean leader to overcome the country's socio-economic challenges and defend its sovereignty and legitimate interests on the international stage.

The telegram noted that Moscow and Pyongyang would continue to work together to further develop their strategic partnership.

"Of course, we will continue our close cooperation in the development of a comprehensive strategic partnership between Moscow and Pyongyang. This undoubtedly serves the fundamental interests of our people," Putin said.

The Kremlin leader also stressed that Moscow highly appreciates the personal contribution of Leader Kim in strengthening bilateral relations.

"Russia highly appreciates your personal contribution to strengthening the relations of friendship and alliance between our countries," he said in a telegram to the North Korean leader.

"I wish you further success in your responsible state duties, as well as good health and well-being," concluded President Putin.

Previously, at the 9th Congress of the Korean Workers' Party in February, lawmakers re-elected Kim Jong-un as General Secretary of the Korean Workers' Party. Kim is the third-generation ruler of the nuclear-armed state founded by his grandfather, Kim Il-sung, in 1948.

It is known that Kim has become the leader of North Korea, replacing his father Kim Jong-il in 2011. Kim Jong-il died on December 17, 2011. Since 2016, he has led the State Affairs Commission, the highest state power organ responsible for state policy issues. His official title is Chairman of the North Korean State Affairs Commission.

After the 2019 amendment to the Constitution, he was officially given the status of head of state and Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army. Before this amendment, the Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly was considered the nominal head of state.