Putin Celebrates Late NK Leader's Birthday

The Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a congratulatory message to North Korean leader Kim Jong-il on the birthday of his late father Tuesday, the North's official news agency said.

Putin called for firmer cooperative ties between Russia and North Korea in the message to celebrate the 96th birthday of the late leader, state founder Kim Il-sung, the North's Korean Central News Agency said.

"The traditional friendship and goodwill ties between the two countries are developing today," Putin was quoted as saying. "Efforts will continue to expand the multifaceted cooperation to ensure the welfare of peoples of the two countries as well as overall peace, stability and security on the Korean Peninsula and
elsewhere in Asia," he said.

The Russian leader sent a congratulatory message on the 66th birthday of the North Korean leader Kim Jong-il on Feb. 16. (Yonhap)

Korea times