The Tumen River, where the borders of North Korea, China and Russia meet. Korea Times 2015 file

By Jung Da-min

North Korea is committed to strengthening its regional ties in Asia, especially with traditional allies such as China, Russia and Mongolia, on the 73rd anniversary of the foundation of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea (WPK).

The country's state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) recently published a series of articles on diplomatic and cultural events involving these countries.

This is in contrast with last year when North Korea was isolated from the international community after conducting missile and nuclear tests. In particular, North Korea-China relations had been weakened to the point where the regime's state media did not even report China's congratulatory message for the event.

North Korea strengthens ties with Mongolia 2018-10-15 17:36  |  North Korea
On the Oct. 10 foundation anniversary this year, however, the KCNA reported that the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Chinese Embassy in North Korea sent floral baskets to the WPK Central Committee.

On Tuesday, the embassy hosted a friendly gathering attended by North Korean officials including Ri Su-yong, a member of the Political Bureau and vice-chairman of the WPK Central Committee.

According to the KCNA report, Ri watched an art performance by the Shenzen City Art Troupe together with Chinese Ambassador Li Jinjun and talked about "the need to expand and develop bilateral relations at a new level."

This year, North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un met Chinese President Xi Jinping in March, May and June, indicating an unwavering alliance between the countries.

On Wednesday, North Korea's party mouthpiece, the Rodong Sinmun, published a rare travel report by a North Korean journalist who visited China to trace historic sites related to North Korea-China friendly relations.

Meanwhile, North Korea is expected to boost its alliance with Russia, with Moscow confirming that President Vladimir Putin will meet Kim this year, although details have yet to be discussed. The meeting would mark the first summit between the two leaders.

In addition, North Korean media reports on exchanges with Mongolia have particularly increased, highlighting former leader Kim Il-sung's efforts to boost relations between the countries. Kim Il-sung visited Mongolia in 1956 and 1988.