Vladimir Putin sent North Korean leader Kim Jong-un a congratulatory telegram on the occasion of the celebration of Independence Day in the country. In it, he expressed his intention to strengthen bilateral relations between the countries. In response, the head of the DPRK announced the emergence of a joint front with Russia to disrupt provocations from "hostile forces." The texts of both telegrams were published by the Korean Central News Agency.

“The glorious traditions of friendship and cooperation laid down in those harsh years still serve as a reliable basis for the development of good-neighborly relations between the Russian Federation and the DPRK today. I am sure that by joint efforts we will ensure the further development of the entire range of constructive bilateral ties,” Putin wrote.

He also added that cooperation between Russia and Korea is fully in the interests of the peoples of the countries and will ensure security on the Korean Peninsula and in the Northeast Asian region as a whole.

Kim Jong-un, in turn, noted that “Korean-Russian friendship, tied up in the days of the anti-Japanese war against a common enemy, has invariably strengthened and developed from century to century, and today is on the common front to disrupt the military threat and provocation, arbitrariness and self-will hostile forces, strategic and tactical cooperation, support and solidarity between the two countries are rising to a new level.”

In July, North Korea recognized the "DPR" and "LPR" and established diplomatic relations with the separatist republics. In response, Kyiv severed relations with Pyongyang. It was also previously reported about the negotiations between North Korea and the "DPR" to attract Korean builders to work to restore the Donbass. At the same time, in 2017, the UN adopted Resolution 2397, which banned citizens of the DPRK from working abroad. In addition, UN Security Council sanctions have been imposed against North Korea.