Pyongyang: North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has sent a message of greetings to Russian President Vladimir Putin ahead of New Year's Day, calling the two countries' relations a "precious common asset," the North's state media said Saturday. In the message, Kim described this year as a "meaningful" one when the two countries "steadily wrote a great biography of the alliance" through "full mutual support and selfless encouragement."

According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim's greeting came after Putin himself sent a New Year's message to the North Korean leader on Dec. 18. Kim expressed that the DPRK-Russia alliance is a precious common asset to be carried forward forever, emphasizing its significance not only in the present era but also for future generations.

Kim highlighted the further consolidation of North-Russia relations into an alliance that shares blood, life, and death, noting North Korea's troop deployment to Russia in support of the war with Ukraine. He asserted that the unity between the peoples of the two countries is unbreakable, upheld by a strong will and strength to defend just aspirations and correct historical narratives.

North Korea and Russia have been enhancing their military cooperation since Putin and Kim signed a "comprehensive strategic partnership" treaty during their summit in Pyongyang in June 2024. Since last year, North Korea has sent approximately 15,000 combat troops to support Moscow's efforts in the ongoing conflict with Ukraine.