SEOUL, October 7. /TASS/. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un congratulated Russian President Vladimir Putin on his birthday, emphasizing his achievements in "building powerful Russia" and expressing hope for the development of bilateral relations, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on Friday.

Comrade Kim Jong-un noted that the Russian President has "made signal achievements in attaining the grand strategic target for building powerful Russia through your energetic activities, assuming the heavy responsibility of the state head for many years," and that he is "enjoying high respects and support from the broad masses of people."

"Today, Russia is reliably defending the dignity of the state and its fundamental interests from the challenges and threats by the U.S. and its vassal forces. Such reality is unthinkable without your distinguished leadership and strong will," Kim Jong-un said in his congratulatory message.

The North Korean leader expressed the hope that personal ties of the two leaders "will play a bigger role in steadily consolidating and developing the DPRK-Russia friendship."

On October 7, Putin celebrates his 70th birthday. Earlier Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reported that on his birthday the President will be in St. Petersburg, where an informal meeting of the CIS leaders will take place. The President will also make several international telephone calls.