• North Korean leader Kim Jong Un extended a letter of congratulations to Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II
• London began celebrations to honour her 70th year on the throne, according to Pyongyang’s foreign ministry.

Despite North Korea’s deteriorating relations with the West over its nuclear and other weapons programmes, London and Pyongyang established diplomatic relations in 2000 and have kept their respective embassies open.

“I send my congratulations to you and your people on the occasion of the national day of your country, the official anniversary of your Majesty´s birthday,” Kim said in the message to the queen, which the foreign ministry said was sent on Thursday.

Read more: protests-as-north-korea-takes-helm-of-world-disarmament-body

The British Embassy in Pyongyang is now closed owing to North Korea’s severe entrance and leave restrictions in reaction to the coronavirus outbreak.

Last year, Pyongyang’s official Korean Central News Agency stated that Queen Elizabeth had sent Kim a letter of congratulations on the country’s founding day, which falls on September 9.

Read more: who-covid-19-getting-worse-not-better-in-north-korea

“As the people of the Democratic People´s Republic of Korea celebrate their National Day, I send my good wishes for the future,” the queen said in the message at the time, referring to the country by its official name, according to KCNA.