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| ▲ North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (L) and Chinese President Xi Jinping hold hands at a banquet in Beijing, in this file image captured Sept. 6, 2025, from Korean Central Television. The TV network aired a documentary on Kim's visit to China earlier that month. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap) |
NK leader-China
Pyongyang briefly reports Kim's New Year's greeting to China's Xi
SEOUL, Jan. 18 (Yonhap) -- North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un sent a New Year's message to Chinese President Xi Jinping, state media reported Sunday, without releasing details, in a restrained move as Pyongyang deepens ties with Moscow.
The Korean Central News Agency said Kim sent New Year's messages to several foreign leaders, including those of Vietnam, Singapore, Tajikistan and Azerbaijan, but referred to the Chinese leader by his title and to his wife without naming her.
Earlier this month, the KCNA also reported that Xi and his wife sent a New Year's message to Kim, without providing details.
The restrained coverage stands in sharp contrast to North Korea's recent portrayal of its relationship with Russia. In December, the KCNA published detailed accounts of letters exchanged between Kim and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Kim described relations with Russia as a "precious common asset," while Putin was quoted as praising North Korea's "heroic" deployment of troops in Russia's war in Ukraine.
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