North Korean leader Kim Jong-un laid a wreath at Pyongyang's Liberation Tower to commemorate former Soviet forces on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of Korea's liberation from Japan's colonial rule.

The North's state-run Korean Central News Agency(KCNA) said on Saturday that Kim made the visit marking the anniversary the previous day.

A message on the wreath under the leader's name read, "We do not forget the exploits of the fallen martyrs of the Soviet Army."

Kim expressed confidence that the invincible friendship between the two sides, consolidated through centuries by upholding the noble spirit of the two countries' patriotic martyrs, will solidify and strengthen in the future.

The North Korean leader made the visit to the tower for the second consecutive year in apparent efforts to demonstrate Pyongyang's close ties with Moscow following the two sides' signing of a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty last June.

[Photo : YONHAP News]