Putin, arrive first… Talk with a bright smile
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The contents of the interview are confidential… Observation of Putin’s visit to North Korea
On the 16th (local time), Russian President Vladimir Putin met with North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui, who was visiting Russia.
According to Russian media, including the RIA Novosti news agency, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, “President Putin received Foreign Minister Choi at the Kremlin Palace.”
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was present at the meeting. Foreign Minister Choi is visiting Russia from the 15th to the 17th at the invitation of Minister Lavrov.
In the video reported by the Russian media, President Putin arrived at the meeting venue first and greeted Foreign Minister Choi with a bright smile. Even while Foreign Minister Choi was greeting, he continued to hold the hand he had shaken and appeared to be listening.
Reporter Pavel Zarubin of the state broadcaster Rossiya posted a video of Putin talking with Foreign Minister Choi with a bright expression on social media (SNS) with no sound. “There is no sound, but facial expressions speak volumes,” she wrote. Reuters also described it as an ‘unusual’ meeting and noted the close relationship between the two countries.
During the meeting, Foreign Minister Choi and Minister Lavrov reported to President Putin what was agreed upon at the previous meeting between the North Korean and Russian foreign ministers. It is expected that President Putin’s visit schedule to North Korea was also discussed. Foreign Minister Choi mentioned in his opening remarks at the meeting between the North Korean and Russian foreign ministers that North Korean Chairman Kim Jong-un invited President Putin.
Spokesperson Peskov also said the day before, “President Putin’s visit to North Korea may take place soon,” and “the schedule for the visit to North Korea will be coordinated through diplomatic channels.” If President Putin visits North Korea this year, it will be the first time in 24 years since July 2000.
Previously, Chairman Kim Jong-un visited Russia from September 12 to 17 last year. At the summit with President Putin held at the Vostochny Cosmodrome in the Far East on the 13th, a formal proposal was made to visit North Korea, and President Putin readily accepted.
North Korea and Russia have been solidifying ties in various fields, including military and economics, following Chairman Kim’s visit to Russia. Exchanges are also deepening, with Minister Lavrov visiting North Korea in October of last year, the North Korea-Russia Joint Economic Committee in November, and the Primorsky Krai government delegation visiting North Korea in December.
In particular, North Korea is known to have received help from Russia in launching a reconnaissance satellite in November last year. There was also an analysis by the US and South Korean governments that they provided over 1 million artillery shells to Russia, which is at war with Ukraine, and dispatched multiple artillery experts.
Although North Korea and Russia do not officially recognize the arms deal, Minister Laprov said in a meeting with Foreign Minister Choi, “We highly value North Korea’s similar support of Russia’s position, including special military operations against Ukraine.”
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.