The North Korea-Russia summit, which lasted for four hours, has concluded. On the 13th (local time), Kim Jong-un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea, described his visit to Russia as "an important opportunity to transition to a strategic cooperative relationship," and expressed support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine, stating, "I am confident that the Russian military and people will achieve victory against evil."
Chairman Kim made these remarks during a toast at the official dinner following the summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Vostochny Cosmodrome in Amur Oblast, Russia.
He said, "I am confident that the Russian military and people, who are engaged in a sacred struggle to create a stable development environment by confronting the evil coalition that claims hegemony and nurtures the illusions of expansionists, will surely achieve a great victory." He added, "I deeply believe that the heroic Russian military and people will brilliantly inherit the tradition of victory and will surely demonstrate infinitely valuable honorable achievements on two fronts: the special military operation in Ukraine and the construction of a great power." This statement strongly supports Russia's current situation, which is facing various challenges as the invasion of Ukraine prolongs.
Chairman Kim also discussed the political situations on the Korean Peninsula and in Europe with President Putin, expressing confidence that his visit to Russia at this important time "will be a crucial opportunity to transition North Korea-Russia relations into an unbreakable strategic cooperative relationship," and conveyed hopes for the development of bilateral relations that align with each other's interests and the establishment of long-term ties with Russia.
President Putin responded by saying that Chairman Kim is following the path of his predecessors, including his grandfather Kim Il-sung and his father Kim Jong-il, former leaders of North Korea. Putin told Chairman Kim, "You are firmly and confidently following the path set by the great politicians who founded North Korea, true friends who supported the close ties between North Korea and Russia."
During the toast, President Putin said, "To strengthening North Korea-Russia friendship and the well-being of the peoples of both countries," while Chairman Kim wished for "President Putin's health," showing mutual respect and goodwill.
North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un (center left) and Russian President Vladimir Putin (center right) are holding talks on the 13th (local time) at the Vostochny Cosmodrome in the Amur region of Russia's Far East. [Image source=Yonhap News]
After the summit and dinner, Chairman Kim departed the Vostochny Cosmodrome in a black limousine, escorted by President Putin. President Putin waved his hand in farewell to Chairman Kim. Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesperson, announced that the North Korea-Russia summit concluded after approximately four hours of scheduled events that day.
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