President Hopes for Closer Tehran-Pyongyang Ties
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iran’s president in a congratulatory message to North Korea on its Independence Day expressed the hope for closer relations between Tehran and Pyongyang in the fields of mutual interest.
“I hope that in light of cooperation and joint efforts by the two countries’ officials, we would witness expansion of ties between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in the favorable fields and in line with the interests of the two nations,” President Hassan Rouhani said in a Saturday message to DPRK’s supreme leader Kim Jong Un.
He also congratulated the East Asian country’s government and nation on its national day.
Independence Day, or national Day, is one of the most important festivities in North Korea.
This day, observed on 9 September, marks the founding of the DPRK and its liberation from the Soviet occupation in 1948.
In the aftermath of World War II, Korea was separated into two countries. The southern part was subjected to American rule, while the northern part was controlled by the Soviet Union.
In 1948, however, leader Kim Il-sung was able to take over the reins of North Korea and oust the Soviet leadership.
