President Emmerson Mnangagwa has congratulated North Korea, officially the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) on the occasion of the Asian country’s 74th Anniversary of its founding, reported KCNA Watch.
Zimbabwe and North Korea have cordial relations that date back to the days of the southern African country’s struggle for independence from colonial rule.
Soon after independence, North Korea sent military instructors to train the Zimbabwe National Army’s (ZNA) crack unit, the 5th Brigade which was established in 1981.
The 5th Brigade was tasked was deployed in the southern parts of Zimbabwe to curb the dissident menace during a period referred to as Gukurahundi.
In a message received by Kim Jong Un, president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, on 26 August 2022, Mnangagwa wrote:
Your Excellency,
On behalf of the Government and people of Zimbabwe, and indeed on my own behalf, I wish to extend to you and through you to the Government and people of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, our warm congratulations on the occasion of your 74th Anniversary of the founding of your great Nation.
As we join you in commemorating this auspicious occasion, I note with satisfaction the cordial relations that exist between our two countries. I reaffirm my commitment to work closely with you to further broaden and deepen these relations for the mutual benefit of our two countries.
May I take this opportunity to wish you personal good health, as well as peace and prosperity for the people of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration