PYONGYANG, October 7. /TASS/. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un assured Russian President Vladimir Putin of Pyongyang’s unwavering support for Russia and reaffirmed his commitment to further developing allied relations with Moscow in a birthday telegram to the Russian leader, the text of which was published by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

"Attaching great importance to comprehensive strategic partnership and allied relations with brotherly Russia and ceaselessly expanding and developing our joint cause is an unwavering policy of the North Korean government and my personal invariable choice," Kim Jong Un said.

He also expressed confidence in victory in the "just and sacred war of the Russian people to defend the country’s sovereignty, security interests and territorial integrity." "I once again assure you of my unwavering support for you and Russia," the telegram said.

Kim Jong Un congratulated Putin on his birthday, calling him his "dearest friend." "I am pleased to have excellent friendly relations with you and to open a new page in the development of relations between our two countries," he said.

The North Korean leader also stressed that over the past 20 years, Russia "has strengthened its dignity and status as a great power, created a new history of epoch-making development, and clearly demonstrated to the whole world its position as a powerful and prosperous country."