SEOUL, Oct. 15 (Yonhap) -- Russia has pledged to deepen ties with North Korea at a reception in Pyongyang marking 78 years of diplomatic relations, the North's state media reported Thursday.
Russian Ambassador Andrey Podelyshev hosted the event the previous day at the Taedonggang Diplomatic Club, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.
It was his first reception since taking up the post late last month. North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Kim Jong-gyu attended.
Speakers said "victory is in store for the sacred common cause of the two countries for the building of powerful countries and welfare of the peoples," and expressed belief that the alliance "forged with blood would be immortal," according to the report.
A reception takes place at the Taedonggang Diplomatic Club in Pyongyang to mark 78 years of diplomatic relations between North Korea and Russia on Oct. 14, 2026, in this photo captured from the Russian Embassy's Telegram channel. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
Podelyshev called the relations between the two countries "exemplary," developing on "the principles of full equality and mutual respect," according to the Russian Embassy's Telegram channel.
"Their legal foundation is the Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership," Podelyshev said of the two countries' relations.
The treaty, signed in June 2024 by Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, has "brought cooperation between our countries to a qualitatively new level and set a high standard for its further strengthening," he added.
Kim Jong-gyu responded by saying it is North Korea's "unwavering position" to "comprehensively expand and develop traditional relations of friendship and cooperation."
"We will make every effort to strengthen tactical and strategic cooperation, and develop bilateral relations," he said.
A Russian delegation from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, led by D.V. Sergienko, deputy head of the Migration Service, was visiting Pyongyang and also attended, the embassy said.
jaeyeon.woo@yna.co.kr
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