North Korean leader sends congratulatory letter for Xi's birthday

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (right) and Chinese President Xi Jinping watch a performance at a gymnasium in Pyongyang on June 8, 2026. Xinhua-Yonhap

SEOUL, June 16 (AJP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has sent a congratulatory message along with a flower basket to Chinese President Xi Jinping on his birthday, state media reported on Monday.

According to the state-run [North] Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim delivered his wishes for Xi's "good health" in the message sent last Sunday, while praising his "great achievements" on the occasion of Xi's 73rd birthday.

It comes after Xi visited Pyongyang last week for a summit with Kim, the first in about seven years, and also marks the first time since Xi's 70th birthday in 2023 that Kim has sent a similar birthday message and wreath.

The latest development appears to be a sign of rapidly restoring ties between the two traditional allies, after North Korea has grown closer to Russia by providing military support through troop deployments in its war in Ukraine.