V. V. Putin, president of the Russian Federation, was the first head of state of Russia to visit the DPRK in July, Juche 89 (2000) at the invitation of general secretary Kim Jong Il. The DPRK-Russia summit was held and the DPRK-Russia Joint Declaration was adopted during the visit.

The adoption of the joint declaration marked an important occasion in laying a solid foundation for comprehensively developing the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries, the article says, and goes on:

The friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries have developed on a high level since the adoption of the joint declaration.

The Russian people are working hard to achieve social stability and economic development and promote the security and interests of the country under the leadership of President V. V. Putin and are registering remarkable achievements in the work to build powerful Russia.

Russia is opposed to hegemonic and arbitrary policies in the international arena and is calling for establishing multipolorization of the world and a new and fair international order.

Such efforts of Russia will contribute to preventing new arms race and militarization of space and defending world peace and security.

To boost the traditional relations of friendship and cooperation between the DPRK and Russia as required by the new century is in line with the desires and fundamental interests of the two peoples and is of weighty significance in ensuring peace and security in Northeast Asia and the rest of the world.

The Korean people will as ever make positive efforts to boost the DPRK-Russia friendly and cooperative relations in the spirit of the DPRK-Russia Joint Declaration.