Russia's Top Voice Supports Korean Unification

Russia is ready and eager to contribute to Korean unification, according to a letter that Russian President Vladimir Putin sent to North Korean National Defense Commission Chairman Kim Jong-il.

President Putin said that the five issues in the June 15 Joint Declaration would surely facilitate unification between the two Koreas. He expressed this in a congratulatory message to Kim Jong-il following the inter-Korea summit. The Kremlin reported the content of the letter through the ITAR-TASS news agency June 25.

Putin, due to visit North Korea in the middle of next month, is confident that his meeting with North Korean leader Kim will advance the process of establishing and fostering dialogue and cooperation between Russia and North Korea.

His visit will mark the first time a Russian head of state has visited the North since the collapse of the Soviet Union.