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SEOUL: Kim Jong Un of North Korea expressed his” heartfelt thanks” to President Vladimir Putin on Monday( Sep 18 ), according to state media, as he left Russia for nearly a week in preparation for his defense mission.
The North Korean leader has examined everything from Soviet space rockets to submarines as part of Kim’s Tuesday-starting Far Eastern visit of Russia, which also included a symbolic rifle exchange with Putin.
The journey has fueled American concerns that the lone, nuclear-armed nation might supply Moscow with weapons for its attack on Ukraine.
As he concluded the visit, Kim” extended his heartfelt thanks to President Putin and the Russian management” for” their special treatment and cordial kindness ,” according to Pyongyang’s Korean Central News Agency on Monday.
According to the KCNA statement, he even wished” Russia wealth and its people well-being.”
Ancient allies North Korea and Russia are both the target of numerous international sanctions, including those against Pyongyang and Moscow for testing nuclear weapons.
As he held a rare conference with Putin during his journey of Russia, Kim declared that his nation, which views Beijing as its most important ally and economic patron, would make diplomatic relations with Moscow its” number one priority.”
According to experts, Pyongyang is looking for assistance with satellite systems and modernizing its military hardware from the Soviet era, while Russia is keen for North Korea’s stockpile of artillery shell to be used in Ukraine.