North Korea celebrated the anniversary of its relations with Russia and declared its intent to continue enhancing relations between the two.

North Korea’s state-run Rodong Sinmun newspaper reported on Sunday that Moscow-Pyongyang ties have recently become stronger in many sectors, and the two countries will maintain their firm and close relationship through joint efforts. The paper also stated that two countries have cooperated for 66 years by respecting each other even though there have been many obstacles.

The two countries established diplomatic relations on October 12, 1948, a month after the DRPK was officially founded.

“The DPRK is the closest neighboring country of Russia with long and durable friendly and neighborly bonds,” Alexandr Torshyn, the first vice-chairman of the Federation Council of Russia, was quoted as saying.

Torshyn’s comments came at a reception for the anniversary held on October 9, which according to the Korea Central News Agency included the presence of several Russian officials, including Grigori Logvinov, roving ambassador of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. DPRK Ambassador to Russia Kim Hyong Jun and his embassy officials attended from North Korea’s side.

The paper’s report is one of many recent examples showing deepening ties between the two countries. KCNA Watch indicates that the two countries have been exchanging delegations on a nearly monthly basis since May. In addition, there have been reports that North Korea and Russia are seeking to enhance their business relationship by attracting investors.

In contrast, there were no news reports from North Korea on October 6 when North Korea and China marked their 65th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations, even though China has been considered as North Korea’s closest allies for decades.

“Ideologically, North Korea is protesting against China by being close to Russia with a hope of getting attention back from China,” said Ahn Chan-il, head of the World Institute For North Korea Studies in Seoul. “Practically, however, North Korea can get a lot of things from Russia. Pyongyang’s effort to fix its MiG-29 fighter jets with help from Russian is a good example.”

However, experts in the past have said previously that Russia-North Korea ties may not amount to more than gestures if the North does not implement genuine market reforms to attract new investors.

Picture: Steve Rhodes, Flickr Creative Commons

North Korea celebrated the anniversary of its relations with Russia and declared its intent to continue enhancing relations between the two. North Korea’s state-run Rodong Sinmun newspaper reported on Sunday that Moscow-Pyongyang ties have recently become stronger in many sectors, and the two countries will maintain their firm and close relationship through joint efforts. The