Putin and Kim in bizarre showdown as they disagree over who should enter car first
Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-Un awkwardly bickered over who should get in the car first during the Russian leader’s visit to North Korea
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Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-Un awkwardly bickered over who should get in the car first during the Russian leader’s visit to North Korea.
The trip to the country, which is the Russian premier’s first in 24 years, began with a warm embrace from Kim who met him at the Pyongyang airport.
Korean state media claimed the pair shared their “pent-up inmost thoughts” as they drove to the country's state guest house.
However, before the drive could get going, the two dictators squabbled over who should enter the car first.
Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-Un awkwardly bickered over who should get in the car first during the Russian leader’s visit to North Korea
Sputnik
Both Putin and Kim repeatedly gestured to the other to get into the limousine, with Putin eventually relenting first.
He took off his jacket and entered the vehicle, before Kim followed suit. The pair were then driven to Pyongyang’s main square where they were met with an honour guard of mounted soldiers and huge crowds of civilians, before stepping out of the limousine to a thunderous wave of applause.
Enormous portraits of the two leaders and national flags were displayed on buildings in the capital's Kim Il-Sung Square, as the pair made their way through the crowds along a lavish red carpet.
The pair also exchanged gifts, with Kim receiving a Russian-built limousine, a tea set and an admiral’s dirk, whilst Putin was given numerous pieces of artwork depicting himself.
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Putin and Kim exiting the limousine
Reuters
In a meeting between the two, the nations signed a partnership which vowed mutual aid if either one is attacked.
The deal, which covers key areas including security, trade and investment, is the strongest connection between the two nations since the Soviet Union collapse.
Putin told North Korean officials: “We highly appreciate your consistent and unwavering support for Russian policy, including in the Ukrainian direction.”
Kim said North Korea-Russia relations were entering a period of "new high prosperity", just months after a reverse meeting between the two authoritarian leaders in Russia's distant east.
The trip to the country began with a warm embrace from Kim who met him at the Pyongyang airport
Reuters
The pair were then driven to Pyongyang’s main square where they were met with an honour guard of mounted soldiers and huge crowds of civilians
Reuters
The nations signed a partnership which vowed mutual aid if either one is attacked
Reuters
The Supreme Leader said: “Now the situation in the world is becoming more complicated and changing rapidly.
“In such a situation, we intend to further strengthen strategic communication with Russia, with the Russian leadership.”
The countries' partnership is an “engine for accelerating the building of a new multi-polar world” and Putin's visit demonstrates the invincibility and durability of their friendship and unity, North Korea's state news agency KCNA said.