PYONGYANG, June 3 (Xinhua) -- Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has said he wants to visit the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to meet with its top leader Kim Jong Un, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said Sunday.

When receiving credentials from DPRK Ambassador Mun Jong Nam on May 30 in Damascus, Assad said Syria cherishes "the cornerstone of the historic relations between the two countries laid by President Kim Il Sung and former Syrian President Hafez al-Assad."

"I am going to visit the DPRK and meet HE (His Excellency) Kim Jong Un," he was quoted as saying by the KCNA, without specifying any date for such a visit.

According to the report, the Syrian president also said that the world welcomes "the remarkable events in the Korean Peninsula brought about recently by the outstanding political caliber and wise leadership of HE Kim Jong Un."

"I am sure that he will achieve the final victory and realize the reunification of Korea without fail," Assad said.

As it did in the past, the Syrian government will fully support all policies and measures of the DPRK leadership and invariably strengthen and develop its friendly ties with the DPRK, he was quoted as saying by the KCNA.

Pyongyang and Damascus maintain close ties, which date back to the 1970s.?