Kim of North Korea concludes his visit to Russia by presenting drones as a ‘new era of friendship’ begins

According to Russian news media, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un left Russia’s far east on his armored train on Sunday, capping up his much awaited visit.

An official “departure ceremony” was conducted at the Artyom-Primorsky-1 station, according to a video of Kim’s departure that was distributed by a Russian news source. According to a another source, Kim’s train was traveling around 250 kilometers near the border.

The North Korean leader allegedly got five explosive drones, a reconnaissance drone, and a bulletproof vest as presents from a regional governor during his visit to Russia, in addition to high-level discussions on strengthening defense ties.

Since the coronavirus epidemic, Kim has not made an official trip outside of North Korea, which has increased Western concerns that Moscow and Pyongyang may evade sanctions and sign a weapons agreement. In Vladivostok on Saturday, he met with the Russian defense minister and viewed cutting-edge armaments, including a hypersonic missile system.

Using North Korea’s official name, the “leader of the DPRK received five kamikaze drones and a ‘Geran-25’ reconnaissance drone with vertical takeoff,” according to TASS. The Primorye territory’s governor “offered Kim Jong Un a set of bulletproof protection” and “special clothing not detectable by thermal cameras,” according to the Russian agency. The Primorye region borders China and North Korea.

As demonstrated by his own officer-dominated entourage, a ceremonial exchange of arms with President Vladimir Putin, and a visit to a fighter aircraft facility in Komsomolsk-on-Amur, Kim’s long trip to Russia’s far east has mostly focused on military issues.

While Pyongyang wants Russia’s assistance to build its widely denounced missile program, Moscow is said to be interested in purchasing North Korean weaponry so that it can keep fighting in Ukraine. No deal has been reached or will be, according to the Kremlin. On Sunday, Kim also visited with North Koreans studying in Vladivostok.

The mood during Kim’s visit was characterized as “fervent and warm” by the North Korean news agency KCNA, which also claimed that a “new era of friendship, solidarity, and cooperation” was beginning between North Korea and Russia.