Putin, Kim Jong Un meet at Vostochny space launch facility

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived at the Vostochny space launch facility in Russia’s Far Eastern Amur Region on Wednesday, after taking part in the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) in Vladivostok.

Putin announced plans to visit the space center during the plenary session of the EEF. However, he gave no further details about the trip.

The New York Times cited sources among US officials and their allies as saying that the North Korean leader plans to visit Russia this month. According to the newspaper, North Korea’s Kim may meet with Putin in Vladivostok in Russia’s Far East in mid-September. NYT sources also say that Kim may visit Moscow and the Vostochny spaceport.

Later, the Kremlin officially announced that the talks between the leaders of Russia and North Korea would take place in the coming days, but their date and venue has not been disclosed yet.

Kim Jong Un arrived in the Primorye Region on Monday. After a welcoming ceremony at the Khasan railway station, the North Korean leader held talks with Russian Minister of Natural Resources Alexander Kozlov.

Putin recounts how USSR came to aid of DPRK in Korean War at meeting with Kim Jong Un

The 70th anniversary of the end of the Korean War (1950-1953) is a landmark date and an appropriate occasion to recall the history of how the USSR helped the DPRK in its struggle for independence, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

“We will also celebrate very soon the 70th anniversary of the end of the Korean War and the victory of the North Korean people in this war. This is a landmark date because our country also helped our friends in the DPRK fight for [their] independence,” Putin said.

“I would like to remind you that it was our country that was the first to recognize the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea as a sovereign, independent state,” Putin emphasized.

The Korean War started on June 25, 1950 and ended on July 27, 1953 (de facto as no peace treaty has ever been signed). In addition to North Korea and South Korea, the conflict involved Chinese volunteers fighting on the side of Pyongyang and the US Army fighting under the UN flag on the side of Seoul. Pyongyang was also supported by the USSR. The war ended with an armistice, but a peace treaty has yet to be signed.

Putin, Kim Jong Un to discuss economic issues, local situation

Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will discuss economic and humanitarian issues, as well as the situation in the region, according to Putin.

“We certainly need to talk about economic cooperation issues, issues of a humanitarian nature, about the situation in the region,” Putin said.

Later, the Kremlin officially announced that the talks between the leaders of Russia and North Korea would take place in the coming days, but their date and venue has not been disclosed yet.

Kim Jong Un arrived in the Primorye Region on Monday. After a welcoming ceremony at the Khasan railway station, the North Korean leader held talks with Russian Minister of Natural Resources Alexander Kozlov.

Russia fighting sacred fight, DPRK supports every decision Putin makes — North Korea’s Kim

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea believes that Russia is fighting a sacred fight for its sovereignty and security and Pyongyang supports every decision Russian President Vladimir Putin makes, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said during talks with his Russian counterpart.

“Now, Russia is fighting a sacred fight to protect its state sovereignty and security while combating hegemonic forces that oppose Russia,” Kim said, adding that his visit came at “a special time.”

The North Korean leader expressed his full support to the Russian leadership. “We have always supported every decision that President Putin or the Russian government makes,” Kim said. According to him, Pyongyang is seeking to develop further its relationship with Moscow.