Pyongyang, August 13 (KCNA) -- The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un, president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, held a phone conversation with Comrade Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, president of the Russian Federation, on August 12.

They exchanged greetings with each other and had a conversation in a warm comradely atmosphere.

Kim Jong Un expressed heartfelt thanks to his most esteemed Vladimir Putin for warmly congratulating all the people of the DPRK on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of Korea’s liberation.

He said that all the Korean people greeting the 80th anniversary of their country’s liberation will recollect with reverence the heroic feats performed by the officers and men of the Red Army 80 years ago as a genuine example of true internationalism and pay a high tribute to the fallen fighters of the Soviet army who sacrificed themselves for Korea’s liberation.

The heads of state of the two countries highly appreciated the further development of relations of cooperation in all fields in accordance with the treaty on comprehensive strategic partnership concluded between the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the Russian Federation, confirming their will to strengthen cooperation in the future.

The Russian president spoke highly once again of the support provided by the DPRK and the bravery, heroism and self-sacrificing spirit displayed by the service personnel of the Korean People’s Army in liberating Kursk, part of the Russian territory.

Expressing his heartfelt thanks to Putin for his high appreciation of the DPRK and its soldiers, Kim Jong Un expressed firm conviction that the DPRK will always remain faithful to the spirit of the DPRK-Russia treaty and fully support in the future, too, all the measures to be taken by the Russian leadership.

The heads of state of the two countries exchanged their views on the issues of mutual concern.

Kim Jong Un and Putin agreed to keep closer contact in the future. -0-