Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean Commissioner Kim Jong Un met in Beijing on the 3rd, pledging strong mutual support and further strengthening military ties. The two leaders, facing increasing international isolation due to the protracted Ukraine war, reaffirmed their 'blood alliance' after more than 2 hours of discussions.
According to reports from AP and Russian news agency TASS on the 4th, President Putin and Commissioner Kim held a bilateral meeting for over 2 hours at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse after attending an 80th anniversary banquet for China's victory in the war the previous day. The two leaders exhibited an unusual closeness as they traveled together in President Putin's exclusive limousine, the 'Aurus,' to the meeting location. The Aurus, known as the 'Russian Rolls-Royce,' serves not only as a ceremonial vehicle but also as a tool for showcasing Russian technological prowess and strengthening ties between leaders. During their boarding process, they appeared to make a gesture of yielding seats to each other, creating a cordial atmosphere.
The meeting began with an expanded session attended by both delegations lasting about 1 hour and 30 minutes, followed by a 1 hour one-on-one meeting between President Putin and Commissioner Kim.
According to TASS, during the opening remarks of the meeting, President Putin first expressed gratitude to Commissioner Kim. He noted, 'I will never forget the bravery and heroism displayed by North Korean soldiers in the fight against Ukrainian neo-Nazism,' praising North Korea's military support. Commissioner Kim responded, 'If there is anything we can do for the Russian people, we regard it as a 'fraternal duty' and are ready to assist.' This statement suggests the possibility of additional military support regarding the Ukraine war.
North Korea is reported to have dispatched a military force of about 15,000 troops to the Ukraine war since last year. Our intelligence agencies estimate that around 2,000 of these troops have died. North Korea has also provided Russia with a substantial amount of military equipment, including millions of artillery shells and ballistic missiles. Military cooperation has deepened to an unprecedented level since President Putin's visit to Pyongyang last summer, where he signed a 'mutual defense treaty' after 24 years.
Experts analyze that the interests of the two isolated countries have perfectly aligned. Struggling with weapon supply issues due to Western sanctions, Russia desperately needs North Korea's conventional arms and troops. On the other hand, the Ukraine war represents a golden opportunity for Commissioner Kim. Andrei Lankov, a professor at Kookmin University and an expert on North Korea, told the Financial Times (FT), 'The Ukraine war has suddenly provided North Korea with the opportunity to use the large stockpiles of old shells it possessed,' adding that 'the Kim Jong Un regime, which once had to worry about survival, is being revived with Russian money.'
This meeting clearly shows the changed status of Commissioner Kim. The FT noted that Kim Jong Un, once an international 'outcast,' is now recognized as a key partner of the powerful Russian president.
After the meeting, President Putin escorted Commissioner Kim to the vehicle boarding area. Before Kim Jong Un departed to board, Putin said, 'Please visit again, to Moscow.' Following this, both leaders reportedly exchanged handshakes and hugs, promising to meet again.
Commissioner Kim's daughter, Kim Ju-ae, who is considered a strong candidate for succession, accompanied him to the meeting. Professor Lankov assessed that 'this is a political gesture to show both domestically and internationally that Kim Ju-ae has taken another step toward becoming the next leader.' He added that this scene evokes memories of the early 1980s when Kim Jong Il officially named his son Kim Jong Un as his successor during a visit to China.