September 8 marks the 49th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the Republic of Senegal.
As we greet this day, we are looking back with deep emotions on the meaningful history of the development of friendly relations which were established between the two countries far across the ocean and the continent.
Senegal, located in West Africa on the Atlantic coast, has long been subjected to aggression and colonial rule by the imperialists.
The people of Senegal eventually gained independence of the country in April 1960 after waging tireless struggle against domination and subordination of the imperialists.
The great leader Comrade Kim Il Sung rendered support and encouragement, both material and moral, to Senegalese people in their struggle to eradicate the after-effects of the colonial rule and to build a new society.
The great leader Comrade Kim Il Sung personally met with the first president of Senegal, Léopold Sédar Senghor when he visited our country in May, 1974. In June, 1986, he met with Abdou Dioup, the then president of Senegal who visited our country. At the meetings, he gave them valuable teachings on how to address the issues arising in the work to build a new society.
President Senghor, fascinated with the exceptional greatness, noble virtue of internationalism and lofty personality of the great leader Comrade Kim Il Sung, highly respected him and admired him as a brilliant strategist and an outstanding statesman. President Dioup, too, highly praised him as a peerless great man.
Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the two countries have actively developed the friendly and cooperative relations in the fields of politics, the economy, culture etc., adhered to the principles of respect for sovereignty and non-interference in internal affairs in the international arenas and sought a close support and collaboration with each other.
It is the consistent stand of the DPRK to further expand and develop the long-standing and traditional relations of friendship and cooperation between the DPRK and Senegal as required by the new era.
In the future, too, we will support and encourage the Senegalese people in their efforts to achieve social progress and prosperity and will make positive efforts to continuously develop the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries.
Pak Yong Hyok, Secretary General
Korea-Africa Association
