Russian President Vladimir Putin (right) and North Korean President Kim Jong-un (left) in a meeting at the Vostochny Cosmodrome space station in Russia’s Far East on September 13, 2023. (Photo: AFP/VNA)

At the meeting, President Kim said it was North Korea’s unwavering position to further develop its traditional friendship and ties with Russia, adding that North Korea will always support the decisions of President Putin and the Russian leadership. He said Pyongyang will always stand with Moscow.

The North Korean leader said the Russian-North Korean friendship has deep roots and the former Soviet Union played a very important role in the liberation of the country, adding that strengthening relations with the Russian Federation is North Korea’s first priority. He said that the joint meeting will be another moment to raise the North Korea-Russia relations to a new level.

This is President Kim’s second visit to Russia after his first visit in 2019.