MOSCOW, March 23, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday called for Russia and North Korea to further develop their strategic ties, as he congratulated his counterpart King Jung Un on his reappointment as president of state affairs.

"We in Russia highly value your personal input to strengthening the friendly, allied ties between our countries," Putin wrote in a message. "And we will, of course, continue our close cooperation to further develop the comprehensive strategic partnership between Moscow and Pyongyang."