Vladimir Putin: Here's how Kim Jong-un paid tribute to 'special relationship' with Russian leader

The Russian delegation visited Pyongyang last week to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of the Korean War which is called ‘Victory Day’ in North Korea.

Although Vladimir Putin wasn’t a part of the party on the Kremlin's behalf, his presence was highly visible as the venue where Kim Jong-un was receiving his guests was decorated with huge portraits of the Russian leader.

The gesture caught the eye of Max Seddon, the Moscow bureau chief for the Financial Times, who didn’t miss the opportunity to show this example of friendship between the two leaders to the world.

Vladimir Putin reportedly hopes that this trip will help strengthen Russian-North Korean military ties.

Here is what we know.

Kim Jong-un's special tribute to Vladimir Putin

Last week the Russian delegation visited Pyongyang, and the purpose of the trip is not only to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of the Korean War but also to celebrate the 'special relationship' between the two countries and their leaders Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un.

To show appreciation for his ally, the North Korean heir decorated multiple rooms of the building where he was receiving his guests with huge portraits of the Russian President so that all those present did not miss him.

Max's post has been going viral with over 400K views and hundreds of retweets and comments.

Last Friday Vladimir Putin reportedly sent a letter to Kim Jong-un, praising the nation's ‘solidarity with Russia on key international issues’ highlighting the countries’ ‘common interests’.

Russia's Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, who was part of the delegation, expressed hope that the trip would strengthen Russian-North Korean military cooperation.

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Russia’s visit to North Korea made the international community nervous

During the visit, Kim Jong-un reportedly showed Sergei Shoigu around a defence exhibition that included banned ballistic missiles.

Nuclear-capable missiles that were allegedly part of the display are forbidden under United Nations Security Council resolutions, and the whole situation made the international community worried.

NK News, an independent English-language outlet that covers North Korea, also reported that Kim Jong-un’s exhibition featured the country's largest nuclear missiles like the Hwasong-17 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) and the Hwasong-18 solid-fuel ICBM.

Ankit Panda, a senior fellow in the Nuclear Policy Program at the US-based Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said that Russia supported the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and that it ‘appears to have given way tocourting Pyongyang as a strategic partner’.

He added:

Kim Jong-un's support for Russia in its illegal war on Ukraine appears to have paid dividends.

Does Kim Jong-un support Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine?

Although Vladimir Putin failed to meet Kim Jong-un in person this time, he didn't miss the chance to thank him for his ‘firm support’ in the invasion of Ukraine.

The kind of help received wasn’t specified, but the US has earlier accused North Korea of selling Russia artillery shells and rockets. Pyongyang denied any allegations.

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Sources used:

- Newsweek: 'Kim Jong Un Decorates Walls With Huge Portraits of Putin'