During his recent visit to Russia, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was presented with body armor and drones, which have raised concerns in the West. This trip, which spanned six days and included discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin, has sparked speculation about the potential of North Korea supporting Russia with military resources for their invasion of Ukraine.
Kim, who rarely travels overseas, received a grand reception during his recent trip, with a significant portion of his time being dedicated to exploring various military sites. Due to the heavy sanctions imposed on North Korea, the country is facing numerous shortages in essential areas such as energy, food, and military advancements.
Before his departure, the governor of Primorye, a region in far eastern Russia, presented Kim with a thoughtful gift consisting of a bulletproof vest and a set of drones, as reported by Russian state media TASS.
The state news agency stated that this body armor is equipped with protective areas for the chest, shoulders, throat, and groin, and it is significantly lighter compared to other similar products. Additionally, Kim received five kamikaze drones and a reconnaissance drone called Geranium-25, all produced in the same region. As an extra gift, he was given a set of special clothing that cannot be detected by thermal imaging cameras.
Kim Jong Un talked about military cooperation with Russia's Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu on Saturday.
In a video released by Russia's state news agency RIA Novosti, Kim was captured boarding his personal armored train at Artyom railway station, accompanied by a farewell ceremony complete with a red carpet and honor guards. Russian officials waved as the train departed.
The train is expected to travel more than 200 kilometers (124 miles) from Artyom to the border town of Khasan, according to RIA.
A trip with a military focus
During their encounter at Russia's Far East on Wednesday, Kim and Putin convened for a five-hour long meeting at Vostochny Cosmodrom spaceport. Putin acknowledged Kim's "great interest" in space technology, as North Korea has prioritized its development in this field. Following their talks, Kim expressed his unwavering support for Russia, proclaiming, "I will always stand with Russia." Putin characterized their discussions as "deeply meaningful."
In light of the meeting, it should be noted that earlier this month, the US government cautioned about the ongoing progress of arms negotiations between the two nations. No official announcements regarding any agreements have been made to the public.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, called his meeting with North Korea's Kim Jong Un "very substantive" on Wednesday.
Vladimir Smirnov/Sputnik/AP
The North Korean leader visited an aircraft manufacturing plant in the city of Komsomolsk-on-Amur in eastern Russia on Friday.
Kim visited the Komsomolsk-on-Amur Yuri Gagarin Aviation Plant on Friday and North Korean state media KCNA stated that he was truly impressed by Russia's aircraft manufacturing industry. During his visit, Kim explored different facilities such as the fighter jet fuselage assembly shop and wing production shop.
On Saturday, he examined warplanes, explored an airfield in the company of Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, and paid a visit to a frigate from the Pacific Fleet, accompanied by the commander-in-chief of the Russian Navy.
According to KCNA, Kim and Shoigu engaged in discussions concerning military cooperation "between the armed forces of both nations and areas related to their national defense and security."
South Korea, Japan, Ukraine, the US and countries in Europe have been alarmed by the visit, but what will come from it is yet to fully be revealed.