Kim and Putin Strengthen Ties with Letter Exchange

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin exchanged letters on the 78th anniversary of Korea's liberation from Japan, pledging to develop their ties into a "long-standing strategic relationship." Kim emphasized the friendship forged in World War II and expressed confidence in further developing the relationship. Putin vowed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in all fields for the well-being and stability of the Korean peninsula and Northeast Asia. The leaders of South Korea, the United States, and Japan are set to discuss security cooperation over North Korea and other issues at a trilateral summit on August 18.