Abbas congratulates North Korea’s Kim Jong-un on national holiday

In a telegram, the PA president noted that the Korean people made “the greatest sacrifices for the sake of its freedom and dignity.”

By ADAM RASGON
Updated: AUGUST 16, 2017 15:40
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas (photo credit: REUTERS)
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas
(photo credit: REUTERS)
Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday congratulated North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on his country’s annual Liberation Day celebration amid increased tensions between Pyongyang and the United States.
In a telegram, the PA president said that the Korean people made “the greatest sacrifices for the sake of its freedom and dignity,” according to Wafa, the official PA news site.
Abbas also expressed appreciation for “Korea’s solidarity in support of our people’s rights and its just struggle to end the occupation and establish an independent Palestinian state with east Jerusalem as its capital.”
Abbas’s comments come days after US President Donald Trump and Kim issued bellicose threats against each other’s country.
The PA president also wished Kim “health and happiness” and the Korean people “more stability and prosperity.”
Kim Jong Un reacts during a test launch of ground-to-ground medium long-range ballistic rocket
Kim Jong Un reacts during a test launch of ground-to-ground medium long-range ballistic rocket
In a separate telegram, Abbas congratulated South Korean President Moon Jae-in on his country’s Liberation Day celebration.
Abbas expressed hope to Moon that his people will experience “more stability and prosperity.”
He also said that he is interested in developing South Korea and the Palestinians’ bilateral ties.
The telegram to Kim marks the second time in five weeks that the PA president has communicated with North Korean officials. He met with North Korea’s nonresident ambassador to the Palestinians, Ma Dong Shi, in Cairo on July 9 to accept his diplomatic credentials.
The National Liberation Day of Korea is celebrated annually on August 15 in both North and South Korea. It commemorates the victory over Japan in 1945.