King Charles has sent a message to North Korean leader Kim Jong–un congratulating him on the anniversary of the country’s founding, according to a report.
“As the people of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea celebrate their National Day, I send my good wishes for the future,” read the message, according to a report by Reuters which cited North Korea’s state-run news agency KCNA.
Queen Elizabeth II sent a message with very similar wording to North Korea in 2021. At the time, a Buckingham Palace spokesperson said that it was “standard practice” for national days across the world and “has been done before”.
“As in previous years, HM The Queen has sent a message to the people of the DPRK on the occasion of their National Day,” a Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) spokesperson had said at the time.
According to the Rodong Simnun, a North Korean state newspaper, Mr Kim received messages marking the 75th anniversary from a number of heads of state, with countries and territories listed including Singapore, Nepal, Bahrain and Mozambique.
The newspaper said Mr Kim also received congratulations from Carl ⅩⅥ Gustaf, the king of Sweden, which said: “On the occasion of the Anniversary of the founding of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) I wish to convey to Your Excellency my best wishes for the future and for the welfare of the people of the [DPRK].”
North Korea invited Chinese delegates and Russian artists to a midnight paramilitary parade in Pyongyang to mark the country’s founding anniversary on Saturday.
China has sent a delegation led by vice premier Liu Guozhong to the celebrations, while Russia sent a military song and dance group.
South Korean media speculated that the lack of Russian government officials at the festivities in Pyongyang could be related to preparations for a summit between Mr Kim and Russian president Vladimir Putin, which Washington expects within the month.
According to some US reports, it could happen as early as this week.
Mr Putin is expected to attend an international forum that began on Sunday and runs until Wednesday in the eastern city of Vladivostok, which was also the site of his first summit with Mr Kim in 2019 and is now seen as a possible venue for their meeting.
South Korea’s spy agency told lawmakers in a closed-door briefing last Thursday that North Korea and Russia could also be arranging an unexpected “surprise” route for Mr Kim’s visit to avoid potential venues reported by the media.
North Korea has so far not confirmed any plans for Mr Kim to visit Russia.
KCNA said Mr Kim received letters from Mr Putin and Chinese president Xi Jinping on the anniversary, where both leaders said that their countries’ strengthening ties with North Korea would contribute to the region’s peace and stability.
Saturday’s parade showcased paramilitary organisations and public security forces protecting Pyongyang, rather than the military units that handle his nuclear-capable weapons systems, which have been the focus of other parades this year.
Photos showed Mr Kim smiling and talking with his young daughter, believed to be named Ju Ae, as they watched the parade from leather chairs set up at Mr Kim’s balcony in Kim Il Sung Square – named after his state-founding grandfather.
Additional reporting by agencies
