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| ▲ This file photo, carried by the North's official Korean Central News Agency on Sept. 14, 2023, shows its leader Kim Jong-un (L) and Russian President Vladimir Putin holding a summit at Russia's Vostochny spaceport the previous day. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap) |
Russia-N Korea
Putin says Russia, N. Korea to develop alternative settlement system
SEOUL, June 18 (Yonhap) -- Russia and North Korea plan to develop an alternative settlement system that will not be controlled by Western countries, as the two nations seek to upgrade bilateral ties to a higher level, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday.
Putin made the remark in an article contributed to the Rodong Sinmun, North Korea's main newspaper, as he was set to make his first visit to North Korea in 24 years Tuesday for talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
"We are firmly convinced that we will put bilateral cooperation onto a higher level with our joint efforts," Putin said.
He said Russia and North Korea will develop alternative systems for trade and mutual settlements not strained by Western countries and jointly oppose their "illegitimate" restrictive measures.
Putin also said his country will ramp up exchanges and cooperation with North Korea in such areas as education, tourism and culture.
Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said Putin is expected to sign "important" documents with the North's leader Wednesday that will likely include a treaty on a comprehensive strategic partnership, according to Russia's TASS news agency.
Putin's two-day trip is a reciprocal visit after Kim traveled to Russia's Far East in September last year for the summit with Putin.
It will mark Putin's first trip to North Korea since July 2000, when he met with former North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, the late father of the current leader.
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