Putin meets Kim Jong-un at Russia’s Vostochny Cosmodrome (VIDEO)
The leaders are meeting at the space facility in the Amur Region of Russia’s Far East
The president of Russia has personally greeted the leader of North Korea at Vostochny Cosmodrome, according to a video of their handshake shared by the Kremlin on Wednesday.
Vladimir Putin came to Vostochny earlier in the day, following a two-day visit to the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok. Meanwhile the North Korean leader arrived at the facility onboard his armored train, after crossing into Russian territory on Tuesday morning.
“I’m very glad to see you,” Putin told his guest, noting that the meeting was particularly symbolic given that the year 2023 marks North Korea's 75th founding anniversary and 70 years since the Korean War armistice, as well as 75 years of diplomatic relations with Russia.
The North Korean leader in turn thanked Putin for the invitation and a “very warm welcome,” according to videos of the leaders’ handshake shared by Russian media outlets.
Commenting on the agenda of the Russian-North Korean summit, Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov said the upcoming talks are set to focus on a number of “sensitive issues,” as well as bilateral economic and cultural cooperation, and the overall situation in the region. The Kremlin spokesman said the negotiations would be held both with Russian and North Korean delegations present and in a one-on-one format.
Kim Jong-un is visiting Russia amid heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula, which has seen recurring missile launches by Pyongyang as well as military drills involving South Korean and US troops. On Wednesday, just ahead of the meeting with Putin, Soul accused Pyongyang of yet another missile launch.