This image, captured from the website of Cuba's presidential office, Sept. 19, 2024, shows Cuban Vice President Salvador Valdes Mesa, center, with North Korea's new ambassador to Cuba, Han Su-chol, right. Yonhap

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has stressed the importance of bilateral relations with Cuba in a message, widely seen as an effort to strengthen their long-standing ties, despite a setback over South Korea's recent establishment of diplomatic relations with Havana.

Kim had conveyed cordial greetings to Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel in a message delivered by North Korea's new ambassador to Cuba, Han Su-chol, during his meeting with the Cuban president last Friday (local time), according to Cuba's presidential office and the social platform X.

On Feb. 14, South Korea and Cuba formally established diplomatic relations, a surprising development that many viewed as a diplomatic blow to North Korea, which has long maintained close ties with the Caribbean nation.

During the meeting with the Cuban president, Han emphasized Kim's strong commitment to the continued development of the historic relationship between North Korea and Cuba.

Kim had said the bilateral relations are a source of pride for North Korean residents and a precious inheritance, according to the Cuban side.

Han assumed his post earlier this month, following the departure of his predecessor, Ma Chol-su, in March. Some observers interpreted Ma's departure as a sign of North Korea's dissatisfaction with the new diplomatic ties between South Korea and Cuba.

In response, President Diaz-Canel highlighted that next year marks the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between North Korea and Cuba.

He suggested that the two nations work together to create a schedule to celebrate the milestone, the office said.

Since South Korea's establishment of diplomatic ties with Havana, North Korea has refrained from mentioning news related to Cuba in its state media.

Ri Il-gyu, a former counselor of political affairs at the North Korean Embassy in Cuba, recently told Yonhap News Agency that North Korea would "never abandon" its ties with Cuba. Ri also revealed that members of North Korea's diplomatic mission in Cuba were summoned back to the country following his defection to South Korea with his family last November.

Meanwhile, top diplomats from South Korea and Cuba held their first one-on-one talks on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly in New York last week.

The two countries are working to open embassies in Seoul and Havana by the end of this year. (Yonhap)