N. Korea's Kim vows to bring bilateral ties to 'new strategic level' in letter to Xi

SEOUL, Oct. 1 (Yonhap) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on Thursday reaffirms his commitment to lifting bilateral relations with China to a "new strategic level" in a letter to Chinese President Xi Jinping marking China's National Day, Pyongyang's state media reported. In the letter for the 77th anniversary of the country's founding, Kim extended "the warmest congratulations and best wishes" to Xi and the Chinese people, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said. Kim noted the two countries marked the 65th anniversary of their friendship treaty this year and are promoting exchanges "in all fields." "The history of the DPRK-China friendship, which was forged at the cost of blood and has been carried forward with genuine comradely friendship, can never be shaken no matter how the international situation may change," he wrote. DPRK stands for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the North's official name. It is his country's "steadfast will" to "steadily develop the traditional relations of unity and cooperation" with China, he added. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (R) and Chinese President Xi Jinping pose for a photo on June 8, 2026, ahead of their summit talks in Pyongyang, in this file photo carried by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency the following day. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap) He also referred to his two recent summits with Xi. "I had meaningful meetings with Comrade General Secretary last year and this year and confirmed stand and will to develop the solid and special relations of friendship between the DPRK and China ... into the most powerful and strategic relations between socialist states, aspiring after a beautiful common future," he said. "I reaffirm my stand to lead the DPRK-China relations with deep and long historical roots to a new strategic level together with you," Kim wrote. The North Korean leader sends Xi a congratulatory letter every year on China's National Day. This year's message, however, has become longer and warmer over the recent years, a possible sign of warming ties. It is nearly twice as long as the 2024 one, and its language has shifted from an emphasis on traditional friendship to calls for "most powerful and strategic" relations. North Korea hosted a reception in Pyongyang the previous day to mark the Chinese national day, with Chinese Ambassador Wang Yajun and embassy officials in attendance, according to the KCNA. jaeyeon.woo@yna.co.kr(END)