12:15 PM
During the recent summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang, North Korea, where both signed a defense agreement, The leaders’ close diplomatic relationship was also evidenced by their exchange of lavish gifts.which marked Putin’s first visit to the secretive Asian communist country after more than two decades.
QUtin was welcomed into the country with a great celebration, with the streets decorated with giant portraits of the Russian president, as well as his host Kim Jong Un.
The president of Russia was surrounded by great pomp in Pyongyang’s Kim Il Sung Square with a military band and a synchronized dance show, very common in ceremonies in North Korea.
lRead here: Putin visits North Korea, a meeting that worries the international community
Subsequentlythe North Korean leader presented the Russian president with a pair of Pungsan dogs, originating from North Korea. In an environment far from political formalities, both showed their love for animals while the North Korean leader fed carrots to one of his horses.
In response, Putin presented Kim Jong Un with a luxurious Russian-made high-end limousine, Aurus Senat. This vehicle, officially used in the Kremlin, is the second that the North Korean leader has received from Putin, since earlier this year he had given him the first Aurus.
J.ong Un is known for his love of foreign luxury vehicles, This is evidenced by its large collection.
Even the leaders took the opportunity to show the reinforcement of their diplomatic ties and as “best friends.” They went for a ride in the luxurious car through the garden of the Kumsusan Guest Palace, place where the Russian head of state stayed.
Russian North Korean news agencies reported that Kim Jong Un called Putin North Korea’s “best friend.”
Neither of them gave up the wheel and They both took turns driving the car. The meeting was recorded thanks to a small camera placed inside the limousine and there it was evident Putin and Jong Un talking between laughs.
In addition, according to statements by Yuri Ushakov, Putin’s senior advisor, to the Russian news agency TASS, Putin also brought with him other gifts, including “an admiral’s dagger and a tea set.” For his part, Kim showed his gratitude by giving him several works of art and a bust of Putin himself.
ANDThe defense agreement with North Korea
Both countries, united against American “hegemony”, They closed a “global strategic partnership” that provides for mutual assistance “in the event of aggression” and a possible strengthening of “military-technical cooperation,” according to Putin.
Kim expressed to Putin his “support” in the war in Ukraine during the signing of the bilateral defense agreement. Putin reiterated that “Russia and Korea pursue an independent foreign policy, and do not accept the language of blackmail,” and Kim celebrated a “new era” of bilateral relations.
““North Korea expresses its full support and solidarity to the government” In his offensive in Ukraine, which involved a barrage of sanctions against Moscow, the North Korean leader had an impact.
Qutin thanked Kim for his “constant and unwavering” support of North Korea, invited him to visit Moscow and defended that the sanctions against Pyongyang be “reviewed.”
Moscow and Pyongyang have been allies since the end of the Korean War (1950-1953) and They have strengthened their relations since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
This is the second meeting of the leaders in less than a year, after Kim visited Russia in September.
con information from AFP*
