Reply To Kim Jong-un's Message, President Lukashenko Will Expand Belarusian Cooperation - North Korea

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. (Source: Kremlin.ru)

JAKARTA - Belarusian President called for "wider cooperation" with North Korea in a message sent to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, Pyongyang's foreign ministry said on Friday.

"I emphasize, I will try to further expand cooperation with the DPRK so that it is full of new content, and a joint program that provides shared benefits for improving people's welfare in our country," Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko was quoted as saying in a letter sent on July 15, reported The Korea Times July 26.

The DPRK stands for North Korea's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

In a congratulatory message sent to President Lukashenko on the occasion of National Day in Belarus earlier this month, Leader Kim said he believed the country's traditional friendly relations would expand in all fields in accordance with the demands of the new age.

North Korea's Foreign Ministry revealed the letter on its website, when Belarusian Foreign Minister Maxim Vladimirovich Ryzhenkov arrived in Pyongyang on Tuesday for a four-day visit.

The highest diplomat has held talks with his North Korean partner Choe Son-hui on an honorary visit to Prime Minister Kim Tok-hun, along with officials from North Korea's agriculture, education and health ministries, suggesting the views of the two countries may seek to expand cooperation in their respective fields.