Kim Jong Il, North Korean leader, receives letter from Putin, meets Russian envoy

Kim Jong Il, North Korean leader met the Russian presidential envoy for the Far East and received a letter from President Vladimir Putin, North Korea's official media reported Monday.

There were no details about the contents of the message conveyed at the Sunday meeting with envoy Konstantin Pulikovsky in a report by the Korean Central News Agency, or KCNA. Pulikovsky led the Russian delegation to the country for celebrations of the 60th anniversary of its ruling Workers' Party,which falls on Monday.

Russia is one of five countries involved in nuclear disarmament talks with North Korea, and the North's main nuclear negotiator Kim Kye Gwan was present at a luncheon with the visitors, according to KCNA. But there was no mention in the report of the nuclear issue.

Moscow was once the main benefactor of North Korea, but since the 1991 Soviet collapse China has assumed the role as the isolated North's key supporter, reported AP.

P.T.