The Russian Association for Friendship and Cultural Cooperation with the DPRK released a statement on January 27.

The statement said:

Korean friends in Russia express great concern over the situation on the Korean peninsula just as the world progressive peoples do.

The NDC of the DPRK recently sent the concrete crucial proposal to the south Korean authorities for improving the north-south relations.

We fully support the new peace proposal of the DPRK and recognize it as a very timely and constructive proposal.

We hope that the south Korean authorities would approach it in a responsible and prudent manner and take practical measures for finding out together the way of improving the north-south relations and achieving the independent reunification of the country.

The Dagestan Association for the Study of the Juche Idea and Songun Policy of Russia said in a statement on January 23 that the above-said proposal is assuming the peace-loving nature and purpose.

The statement went on:

We call upon the south Korean authorities to lend an ear to the initiative of the DPRK.

The peace on the Korean peninsula is the desire of all Koreans.

The DPRK showed its honest-minded will for peaceful dialogue between the north and the south this time, too.

We demand the south Korean authorities to respond to the proposal of the DPRK.