North Korea’s Central News Agency reported on Friday that Putin sent the message the day before, following the summit meeting held by the two leaders in Beijing on the sidelines of a Chinese military parade to discuss bilateral relations.

North Korea celebrates the 77th anniversary of its national founding on September 9, 1948, by the grandfather of the current leader Kim Il-sung.

The Central News Agency noted that Putin reminded in his message that Russia was the first country to officially recognize North Korea, emphasizing that since then the relations between Moscow and Pyongyang have honorably stood the test of time.

Putin also praised the North Korean soldiers who participated in liberating Russia’s Kursk region from Ukrainian forces, considering them a “clear symbol of friendship and cooperation” between North Korea and Russia.

Addressing Kim as “dear friend,” Putin said in his message: “I am confident that through joint efforts, we will work to strengthen the comprehensive strategic partnership between our countries in the future.”

He added that this approach fully aligns with the interests of the peoples of both countries and will contribute to enhancing security and stability on the Korean Peninsula and throughout Northeast Asia.

On Wednesday, Kim and Putin held talks on the sidelines of the 80th anniversary events of Japan’s defeat and the end of World War II in Beijing, discussing ways to develop “close alliance relations between the two countries.”

At the end of the meeting, Putin invited Kim to visit Russia, according to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, adding that the exact dates of the visit have not yet been determined.