Kim Jong Un, who spent nearly a week in Russia on a defense-focused tour, gave President Vladimir Putin a “heartfelt thank you,” according to official media on Monday.
North Korean leader ends Russia trip: Kim’s journey of Russia’s far east, which started on Tuesday, has heightened Western concerns that Pyongyang, which is isolated and armed with nuclear weapons, would give Moscow supplies for its conflict in Ukraine.
The leader of North Korea examined everything while there, including submarines and Russian space rockets. A ceremonial exchange of firearms with Putin was also part of it.
According to Pyongyang’s Korean Central News Agency, Kim “extended his heartfelt thanks to President Putin and the Russian leadership” for “their special care and cordial hospitality” as the visit came to a conclusion on Monday.
Kim is departing for home “after successfully completing the schedule of his official goodwill visit to the Russian Federation,” according to KCNA. According to the KCNA report, he also wished “Russia prosperity and its people well-being.”
Historic friends North Korea and Russia are both subject to a plethora of international sanctions; Pyongyang for its nuclear weapon testing, and Moscow for its invasion of the Ukraine.
As he had a rare summit with Putin, Kim declared that his nation would make bilateral ties with Russia its “number one priority” during his visit.
Right now, China is North Korea’s most important ally and supporter.
Experts claim that while Pyongyang is searching for assistance with satellite technology and updating its Soviet-era military equipment, Russia is ready to exploit North Korea’s stockpile of artillery shells in Ukraine.
At the brand-new Vostochny cosmodrome in Russia, about 8,000 kilometres (5,000 miles) from Moscow, Putin and Kim met on Wednesday.
Putin praised the potential for more collaboration with North Korea and the “possibilities” for military ties after the meeting. However, according to the Kremlin, no deal has been or will be signed.
A walrus display
With his officials, many of them were in uniforms from the military, Kim saw a performing walrus at the Primorsky Aquarium, the biggest aquarium in Russia, earlier on Sunday.
State media showed Kim smiling broadly as he praised the walrus handler and the animal.
In the dolphinarium, Kim reportedly “watched white dolphins and other sea animals performing acrobatic feats and looked around various places of the aquarium,” according to KCNA.
Under Putin’s supervision, the center “established a reputation as a popular scientific research base,” and the North Korean leader praised that accomplishment.
According to KCNA, Kim’s most recent trip to Russia will “shine long in history” and further strengthen the two nations’ “militant unity” while “opening up a new chapter” in their relations.
During his conversation with Kim, Putin accepted an invitation to travel to North Korea and made the historic offer to send one of its citizens into space.
As reported by KCNA, Kim is riding a bulletproof train back to North Korea as he “starts his way home after bringing about a new radical turn in the history of the development of the DPRK-Russia relations.”
The abbreviation for North Korea’s official name is DPRK.
Kim received gifts from the governor of the Primorye region, which borders China and North Korea, including five explosive drones, a reconnaissance drone, and a bulletproof vest, before leaving Vladivostok, the Pacific port city just across the border.