In a historic meeting at Russia’s Vostochny Cosmodrome, North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed various key points, including space cooperation and their joint stance against imperialism. This significant summit marked Kim’s first foreign trip since the pandemic and aimed to strengthen ties between the two nations.
Key Updates from the Meeting:
Space Exploration: The meeting commenced with a tour of a Soyuz-2 space rocket launch facility. President Putin expressed Russia’s willingness to assist North Korea in building satellites, emphasizing Kim’s keen interest in rocket technology. This development could potentially enhance North Korea’s space program.
Alliance against Imperialism: Kim Jong Un conveyed to President Putin that Russia was currently engaged in a “sacred war” against the West and imperialism. He emphasized the importance of both nations joining forces to combat hegemonic forces threatening their sovereignty and security.
Building Stronger Ties: Kim described the meeting as a “stepping stone” toward strengthening the relationship between North Korea and Russia. Putin, in return, toasted to the “strengthening of future cooperation” between the two nations.
Confidence in Russian Military: Kim expressed confidence in the Russian army and people, believing they would triumph against “evil” forces. He voiced his conviction that they would uphold the tradition of victory with dignity and honor.
Military-Technical Cooperation: Putin highlighted the potential for bilateral military-technical cooperation, although he underlined Russia’s commitment to complying with its international obligations.
UN Sanctions: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on all countries to respect UN sanctions on North Korea amidst Kim Jong Un’s rare foreign visit to Russia. President Putin pledged his cooperation in this regard.
Invitation to Visit North Korea: In a significant development, President Putin accepted an invitation to visit North Korea from Kim Jong Un. This gesture reaffirmed their commitment to continue the longstanding friendship between Russia and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK).
This historic meeting between Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin not only explored opportunities for space cooperation but also signaled a united front against external pressures, reinforcing their commitment to sovereignty and security.
