Last Updated: September 17, 2023, 14:06 IST
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, accompanied by Russian Minister Alexander Kozlov and Governor of Primorsky Region Oleg Kozhemyako, visits the Far Eastern Federal University in Vladivostok, Sep 17. (Reuters)
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s Russia visit raises concerns of arms deals and defiance of sanctions as he departs with military gifts
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un concluded his highly-anticipated visit to Russia on Sunday, Russian news agencies reported, leaving the far eastern region of the country on his armoured train.
A Russian agency published a video of Kim’s departure, and said a “departure ceremony” was held at the Artyom-Primorsky-1 station. Another outlet said that Kim’s train was headed around 250 kilometres towards the border.
Besides high-level talks on increasing defence ties, the North Korean leader reportedly received five explosive drones, a reconnaissance drone and a bulletproof vest as gifts from a regional governor on his visit to Russia.
Kim’s first official visit abroad since the coronavirus pandemic has fanned Western fears that Moscow and Pyongyang will defy sanctions and strike an arms deal. On Saturday he met the Russian defence minister in Vladivostok, where he inspected state-of-the-art weapons including a hypersonic missile system.
According to TASS, the “leader of the DPRK received five kamikaze drones and a ‘Geran-25’ reconnaissance drone with vertical takeoff”, using the official name of North Korea. The Russian agency said the governor of the Primorye region, which borders China and North Korea, also “offered Kim Jong Un a set of bulletproof protection” and “special clothing not detectable by thermal cameras”.
Kim’s extended tour of Russia’s far eastern region, which began on Tuesday, has focused extensively on military matters, as evidenced by his own officer-dominated entourage, a symbolic exchange of rifles with President Vladimir Putin and a tour of a fighter jet factory in Komsomolsk-on-Amur.
Moscow is believed to be interested in buying North Korean ammunition to continue fighting in Ukraine, while Pyongyang wants Russia’s help to develop its internationally condemned missile programme. The Kremlin has said no agreement has or will be signed. Kim also met with North Korean students studying in Vladivostok on Sunday.
North Korean news agency KCNA has described the atmosphere during Kim’s visit as “fervent and warm” and said a “new era of friendship, solidarity and cooperation” was opening between North Korea and Russia.
(With agency inputs)
