The opening of diplomatic ties between the two countries on Oct. 12, 1948 ushered in a new era of the DPRK-Russia friendship.

Rodong Sinmun says that the DPRK-Russia relations have steadily covered the road of their development on the principle of independence, mutual respect and noninterference in internal affairs and equality despite storm and stress of history.

In this period the two countries have consolidated the bonds of friendship, closely cooperating with each other in various fields of politics, economy and culture, the paper says, and goes on:

General Secretary Kim Jong Il made a more than 6,000 km-long journey to visit the Siberian and Far Eastern regions of Russia despite sultry weather in August 2011. This impressively tells about the undying feats of Kim Jong Il who devoted himself to developing the DPRK-Russia friendly relations on a new phase.

Under the guidance of President Putin Russia is bringing about positive changes and successes in various fabrics of social life. The Korean people sincerely hope that the Russian people's efforts to achieve sovereignty and territorial integrity and build powerful Russia will yield fruits.

Minju Joson says that the friendly and cooperative relations between the DPRK and Russia with a good tradition will steadily grow stronger thanks to the energetic efforts of the peoples of the two countries to achieve common development and prosperity.