Kim Jong-un announces ‘kindred ties’ with China will ‘remain immortal’ amid tensions

express– On Thursday, the nation’s leader highlighted the close relationship between the two neighbouring countries, state media reported. Kim Jong-un underlined how close their “blood” ties are, referencing the 1950-53 Korean War.

He said China had helped his nation “at the cost of their blood” when North Korea was facing “the hardest and most difficult trials”.

The remarks come as the North Korean leader visited the Friendship Tower in Pyongyang on Wednesday to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the armistice.

The leader placed a wreath at the base of the statue to honour the anniversary.

“The noble soul and exploits of the Chinese people who aided the sacred historic struggle of the Korean people at the cost of their blood when the DPRK was undergoing the harshest and most difficult trials will remain immortal,” Kim Jong-un said.

“The DPRK-China friendship forged as kindred ties will be firmly carried forward generation after generation on the road for the common cause.”

The monument is a tower dedicated to the Chinese People’s Volunteers Army who fought in the three-year war.

It is situated in Moranbong Park, Pyongyang.

Erected in 1959, it symbolises the close ties between the two nations.

Jong-un was accompanied by Jo Yong-won, secretary for Organizational Affairs of the party’s Central Committee, and Ri Pyong-chol, vice chairman of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party as well as other officials.

This marks the third time Jong-un has visited the monument since he gained power.

He first visited in June 2019 during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit.

The leader then returned in October last year to mark the 70th anniversary of China’s participation in the war.

The leader’s comments come amid talks between North and South Korea to reopen a joint liaison office that was blown up last year by Pyongyang.