North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has sent a formal reply to Chinese President Xi Jinping reaffirming bilateral relations, according to a report published by the Korean Central News Agency on September 13. The message responds to an earlier congratulatory greeting sent by Xi for the 78th anniversary of the founding of the North Korean regime.
Kim Jong Un Affirms Bilateral Ties in Reply to Xi Jinping
In his message sent on September 12, Kim told Xi that Pyongyang will “always march hand in hand with Chinese comrades” in the effort to strengthen traditional bilateral cooperation, according to the Korean Central News Agency. Kim expressed deep gratitude for Xi’s earlier greeting, stating that it served as a significant encouragement to North Korean workers and ruling party members. Kim also stated his expectation that China will achieve new progress in building a socialist modernized powerhouse and realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation under Xi’s leadership, as reported by the state-run news outlet.
State Media Coverage and Historical Context of the 9·9 Holiday
The exchange was prominently featured on the front page of the Rodong Sinmun, the primary newspaper read by North Korean citizens. The correspondence follows an earlier message sent by Xi on September 9, in which the Chinese leader characterized Beijing and Pyongyang as “neighboring countries that guard and help each other and share the same destiny,” emphasizing that maintaining and developing bilateral ties is an unswerving policy of the Chinese party and government. North Korea marks September 9 as its founding day, commemorating the establishment of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in 1948 when Kim Il Sung was named premier.
Did you know? North Korea’s founding anniversary, known as 9·9절 (September 9 holiday), marks the official establishment of the government in 1948 under founding leader Kim Il Sung, an event traditionally marked by high-level diplomatic exchanges with key allies like Beijing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Kim Jong Un send a reply message to Xi Jinping?
According to the Korean Central News Agency, Kim sent the message to express gratitude for a congratulatory greeting sent by Xi Jinping for North Korea’s regime founding anniversary and to reaffirm bilateral cooperation.
What did President Xi Jinping emphasize in his original message?
According to state reports, Xi emphasized that China and North Korea are neighboring countries sharing a common destiny and that maintaining bilateral ties remains an unswerving policy for Beijing.
Where was the correspondence published?
The reply was detailed in reports by the Korean Central News Agency and was featured prominently on the front page of North Korea’s Rodong Sinmun newspaper.
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