N. Korea's Kim hails 'infinite might' of ties with Russia in 1st public speech marking Liberation Day

This photo, carried by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency on Wednesday, shows the North's leader Kim Jong-un holding phone talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin the previous day. Yonhap

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has hailed the country's solidarity with Russia as "infinite might" in his first public speech marking the Korean Peninsula's liberation from Japan's colonial rule 80 years ago but made no mention of relations either with South Korea or the United States, according to state media Friday.

Kim made the remarks during an event celebrating the 80th anniversary of liberation from Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule, held the previous day at the Arch of Triumph square in Pyongyang and attended by Russian guests, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.

It marks the first time Kim has delivered a public speech for the Aug. 15 anniversary, but he offered no message to Seoul or Washington.

"Today, friendship between North Korea and Russia has developed into an unprecedented alliance, becoming ever more solid amid their common struggle to curb the revival of neo-Nazism and safeguard sovereignty, security and international justice," Kim said.

He claimed the two countries are "creating history" in their struggle for world peace and stability, noting, "The might from the North Korea-Russia solidarity, forged with sublime ideas and genuine friendship ... is infinite."

Kim also claimed ever-growing "misdeeds by imperialists" infringing upon the sovereignty and rights of other countries but did not specify whom he was referring to.

Vyacheslav Volodin, speaker of Russia's parliamentary lower house, the State Duma, and Russian Deputy Culture Minister Andrey Malyshev were among the Russian guests attending the event, which also featured performances of Russian songs.

Volodin also read out a congratulatory message from Russian President Vladimir Putin to Kim during the event.