MOSCOW, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday held talks with visiting Foreign Minister of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Choe Son Hui, the Kremlin said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during an annual press conference and question-and-answer session in Moscow, Russia, on Dec. 14, 2023. (File photo: Xinhua)

"Putin spoke highly of bilateral ties between Russia and the DPRK," said Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, adding that the Russian leader took the opportunity to once again express gratitude to the DPRK's leadership and people for their support during the special military operation.

"Putin conveyed his warmest greetings to DPRK leader Kim Jong Un," Peskov said. "In turn, the DPRK foreign minister thanked him for these warm remarks and noted that Kim Jong Un recently reaffirmed his commitment to comprehensively advancing the DPRK's relations with Russia."

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov also attended the meeting.