This year is a significant year which marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

The establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries on November 9, 1972 became an epoch-making event that could comprehensively develop the bilateral relations in all fields including politics, the economy and culture in the interests of the two peoples under the ideals of independence, peace and friendship.

For the past 50 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, friendly and cooperative relations between the DPRK and Pakistan have been developing in greater scope in various fields under the deep attention of the leaders of the two countries.

The great Comrade Kim Il Sung personally granted an audience to the government delegation of Pakistan led by President Zia-ul-Haq who paid an official friendly visit to our country in October 1982 and unreservedly supported and encouraged the Pakistani people in their struggle to build a new prosperous society. When the Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto visited our country in December 1993, the great Comrade Kim Il Sung laid a firm foundation for expanding and developing the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries onto a higher stage in conformity with the requirements of the times aspiring after independence.

Under the expectation and care of the great Comrade Kim Il Sung and the Pakistani leaders, an agreement on economic and technical cooperation between the two countries was adopted and the Joint Economic Committee was established. Accordingly, successful exemplary cooperation based on the principle of South-South cooperation was realized in various fields such as joint venture and collaboration, and the culture.

Today, our two countries are continuing to exert their efforts to seek close cooperation in the development of the bilateral relations and in the international arenas while maintaining communication on a regular basis even in the face of the global health crisis caused by COVID-19 pandemic and turbulent international situation.

As in the past, so also in the future, we will invariably strengthen and develop the long-standing and traditional relations of friendship and cooperation with the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in keeping with the requirements of the new era and the common aspirations and desire of the two peoples.