The flowers were handed over to an official by the Indonesian Ambassador to the republic on Tuesday, North Korean state news agency KCNA reported.

“[Jokowi, in his message] expressed the belief that the government and people of the DPRK would strengthen efforts in overcoming challenges caused by COVID-19 in the spirit of the national founding day,” the KCNA further said.

It added that President Jokowi had also reiterated his willingness to bolster cooperation between the two countries “for peace and progress in the region and beyond.”

North Koreans celebrate the foundation of the republic on Sept. 9 every year, during which they visit the statues of founding father Kim Il-Sung and conduct various events such as sports competitions and art performances.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un sent a congratulatory message to President Jokowi to mark Indonesia’s 75th anniversary on Aug. 17 this year.

“I take this opportunity to express my conviction that the valuable tradition of excellent friendship and cooperation between our two countries will continue to consolidate and develop as required by the new era,” Kim said in a written statement published on the North Korean Foreign Affairs Ministry’s official website.

Indonesia is one of the very few countries that still maintain cordial relations with North Korea, despite international sanctions applied upon the latter concerning human rights abuses and its nuclear missile program.

According to Trade Ministry data, the total trade volume between the two countries amounted to US$3.26 million in 2019, up from the previous year’s total value of $964,000.

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