Kim Jong-un and Vladimir Putin’s bromance — in pictures

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Kim Jong-un and Vladimir Putin’s bromance — in pictures

Published: 20 Jun. 2024, 01:16 Updated: 20 Jun. 2024, 18:18

SARAH KIM
kim.sarah@joongang.co.kr

Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, right, walk to each other to shake hands during an official welcome ceremony in the Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang ahead of their bilateral summit on Wednesday. [AP/YONHAP]

Russian President Vladimir Putin made his first visit to Pyongyang in 24 years for a summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on Wednesday.

Putin, arriving later than expected, was given a red-carpet welcome as he landed on his presidential jet in Pyongyang early Wednesday for a one-day state visit, greeted in person by Kim at the airport.

The two leaders took part in an official welcoming ceremony later that morning at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang. They were reunited after their summit at the Vostochny Cosmodrome in the Russian Far East in September last year.

During their bilateral summit, the two leaders signed a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty elevating the two countries' relations to a new level deepening military ties.

Earlier, the two leaders were spotted riding together in a Russian-made Aurus limousine on the way to their talks at the Kumsusan Guest House. In February, North Korean state media revealed the luxury vehicle had been gifted by Putin to Kim last year, seen as a violation of UN Security Council sanctions.

In a sign of their blossoming friendship, Putin on Wednesday gifted Kim a second Aurus vehicle when the two leaders exchanged gifts, according to Russian state media. In turn, Putin gave Kim a tea set.

They later attended a gala concert.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, left, gives Vladimir Putin a red-carpet welcome as the Russian leader arrives on his presidential jet at Sunan airport in Pyongyang early Wednesday for a state visit in a photo carried by the North’s official Rodong Sinmun. [NEWS1]

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, right, greets Russian President Vladimir Putin at Sunan airport in Pyongyang early Wednesday in a photo carried by the North’s official Rodong Sinmun. [NEW1]

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, right, Russian President Vladimir Putin arrive for an official welcoming ceremony at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang Wednesday in a photo released by Russian state media. [AP/YONHAP]

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, front right, and Russian President Vladimir Putin take part in an official welcome ceremony in the Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang on Wednesday in a photo released by Russian state media. [AP/YONHAP]

North Koreans wave to the motorcade during the welcoming ceremony for Russian President Vladimir Putin at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang on Wednesday. [AFP/YONHAP]

A motorcade carrying Russian President Vladimir Putin passes a road in Pyongyang Wednesday. [REUTERS/YONHAP]

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, left, and Russian President Vladimir Putin prepare to drive a Russian-made Aurus limousine in Pyongyang, North Korea on Wednesday. [AP/YONHAP]

Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un drive in a Russian-made Aurus luxury limousine in Pyongyang on Wednesday. [AFP/YONHAP]

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, right, Russian President Vladimir Putin hold a one-on-one meeting at the Kumsusan State Guest House in Pyongyang on Wednesday in a photo released by Russian state media. [AP/YONHAP]

Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, right, hold bilateral talks in Pyongyang on Wednesday. [AP/YONHAP]

Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un exchange documents during a signing ceremony in Pyongyang on Wednesday. [AP/YONHAP]

Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un hold a joint press briefing following their bilateral summit in Pyongyang on Wednesday. [AP/YONHAP]

Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un are all smiles as they attend a gala concert at a sports complex in Pyongyang on Wednesday. [AFP/YONHAP]

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, front, and Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, view a horse while taking a walk in the gardens of the Kumsusan Guest House in Pyongyang on Wednesday in a photograph released by the state-run Rodong Sinmun Thursday. [YONHAP]

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, right, and Russian President Vladimir Putin, center, view a pair of Pungsan hunting dogs while taking a walk in the gardens of the Kumsusan Guest House in Pyongyang on Wednesday, as seen in a screen capture from the North’s state-run Korean Central Television Thursday. Kim gave a pair of Pungsan dogs to Putin as a gift after their bilateral summit, North Korean state media reported Thursday. He also gave former South Korean President Moon Jae-in Pungsan dogs as gifts after an inter-Korean summit in 2018. [YONHAP]

Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, drives North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in a Russian-made Aurus luxury limousine in Pyongyang on Wednesday, in a photo released by the North’s state-run Korean Central News Agency Thursday. They took turns driving the Aurus Putin gifted to Kim around the Kumsusan Guest House, the KCNA reported, and the North Korean leader praised the vehicle’s performance and expressed thanks for the car. [YONHAP]

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, right, embraces Russian President Vladimir Putin during a departure ceremony at Sunan airport outside Pyongyang on Wednesday evening, in a photo released by the North’s state-run Korean Central News Agency Thursday. [YONHAP]

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un waves goodbye as Russian President Vladimir Putin’s presidential jet heads to Vietnam after a departure ceremony at Sunan airport outside Pyongyang on Wednesday, in a photo released by the North’s state-run Korean Central News Agency Thursday. [YONHAP]

BY SARAH KIM [kim.sarah@joongang.co.kr]