North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin and the country's people for the hospitality they showed during his visit to the country and wished Russia prosperity and well-being to its nationals, North Korea's state-run news agency reported on Monday.
"He [Kim] extended his heartfelt thanks to President Putin and the Russian leadership and people for their special care and cordial hospitality in every place during the whole period of his visit to Russia, wishing Russia prosperity and its people well-being," the statement read.
Kim's visit to Russia brought about "a new radical turn" in the development of Moscow-Pyongyang relations and consolidated "the traditional ties of good neighbor and cooperation" between the two countries, state media reported.
This was Kim's first visit to Russia since 2019. On Wednesday, the North Korean leader held talks with Putin at the Vostochny spaceport in Russia's Far East. On Saturday, Kim met with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and inspected Russian military aircraft.