OREANDA-NEWS. September 9, 2008. “60 years ago our country was the first to establish a relationship of friendship and close cooperation with the young Korean sovereign state. And these relations have withstood the test of time. Russia will continue its efforts to strengthen the traditions of good neighbourliness between our countries as well as promote the development of bilateral ties in all fields. This fully corresponds to the interests of the peoples of Russia and the DPRK, the challenges of ensuring peace and security on the Korean peninsula and throughout the Asian continent”.