Russian President makes 1st visit to North Korea in 24 yrs
Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, and North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un talk to each other during their meeting in Pyongyang
Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Pyongyang early Wednesday, with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un welcoming him at the airport, Russia’s news agencies said, for his first visit to the Asian country in 24 years.
Putin and Kim Jong Un will hold talks Wednesday and could sign a treaty on a bilateral strategic partnership, according to Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov.
Putin said in an article published Tuesday in North Korean state media ahead of his arrival that Moscow and Pyongyang will jointly circumvent international sanctions by deepening bilateral economic and trade cooperation.
In the article published on the front page of the Rodong Sinmun, North Korea’s official newspaper, the Russian leader said the two countries will develop alternative systems of trade and mutual settlements that are “not controlled by the West” and jointly resist “unilateral and illegal measures.”
Western countries have imposed sanctions on Russia in response to the invasion of Ukraine it launched in February 2022, while North Korea is under U.N. sanctions for its nuclear and missile development programs.
North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency on Tuesday reported that Putin expressed appreciation for Pyongyang’s firm support for Russia’s war against Ukraine, saying the Asian country shows “solidarity with us on major international issues” and maintains a common stance at the United Nations.
Pyongyang is willing to resolutely oppose the ambition of the “Western group” to hinder the establishment of a multi-polarized world order based on mutual respect for justice and sovereignty, Putin said. The president also called for elevating “bilateral cooperation onto a higher level with our joint efforts.”
North Korea has been accused of providing arms to Russia, and Ukraine said in January that Moscow used North Korean KN-23 ballistic missiles in its assaults.
Russia may be assisting and guiding North Korea in its bid to launch military spy satellites, just as USA has been helping Ukraine militarily and in past had helped Pakistan with latest fighters jets, submarines etc which it used for attacking India.
In September last year, Putin met Kim at the Vostochny Cosmodrome space launch centre in the Russian Far East. At the time, Kim invited Putin to visit his country, according to KCNA.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Defense Minister Andrey Belousov are among the members of the Russian delegation accompanying Putin, according to Tass news agency.
With the current trip, President Putin has become the first foreign leader to visit North Korea since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, which led Pyongyang to shut its borders.
