Kim Jong-un in Russia: “sincere gratitude” from North Korean leader to Putin

After a nearly week-long media visit to Russia, Kim Jong Un expressed his “sincere gratitude” to Russian President Vladimir Putin, state media reported Monday. The North Korean leader’s trip to Russia’s Far East, which ended Sunday, highlighted potential military ties between the two countries.

Kim Jong-un got acquainted with a number of equipment, such as Russian space rockets and submarines. The two men went so far as to symbolically offer each other a rifle. The trip also revived Western fears that the isolated, nuclear-armed country could provide Moscow with weapons to attack Ukraine.

“New chapter” between Moscow and Pyongyang

Following the visit, which began on Tuesday, Kim Jong Un “expressed sincere gratitude to President Putin and the Russian leadership” for “their special attention and warm hospitality,” the North’s official news agency said Monday. He also wished “prosperity for Russia and well-being for its people.”

The trip was marked by a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday at the Vostochny Cosmodrome, almost 8,000 km east of Moscow. According to KCNA, this visit to Russia “will shine in history for a long time” and will further strengthen the “militant unity” of the two countries and “open a new chapter” in their relations.

For its part, the Kremlin insists that “no agreement” was signed this week. Vladimir Putin accepted Kim Jong-un’s invitation to visit North Korea and discussed possible assistance in satellite production. Before leaving Vladivostok on Sunday, the North Korean leader received five drones with explosive devices, as well as a reconnaissance drone and a bulletproof vest, as a gift from the regional governor, TASS news agency reported.

On his train, Kim Jong-un “is going home, giving a radically new twist to the history of the development of relations between the DPRK and Russia,” KCNA reports, citing the DPRK. Korea, the official name of North Korea.

Westerners suspect Moscow of wanting to buy weapons from Pyongyang for the conflict in Ukraine, and North Korea, for its part, is suspected of wanting to acquire Russian technology for its satellite, nuclear and ballistic programs.