Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday signalled Moscow help North Korea build satellites when he met North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at the Vostochny Cosmodrome in Russia’s Far East.
“That is why we came here. The leader of North Korea shows great interest in rocket technology. They are trying to develop their space programme," Putin said, according to a report by news agency AFP.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un shook hands as both leaders convened for a rare meeting. The video of the meeting was shared by the Kremlin.
Russian news agencies said that Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin will discuss “trade ties" and “international affairs" at the spaceport. Kim reached Vostochny Cosmodrome via train earlier on Wednesday.
Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived at Vostochny Cosmodrome, a Russian spaceport some 1,000 kilometres from Vladivostok, Wednesday ahead of a his meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
Vladimir Putin told reporters that he will travel to the Vostochny spaceport for an event but did not give details of what that event would be when he addressed reporters during an economic forum in Vladivostok earlier this week.
Both leaders toured the Vostochny Cosmodrome together and checked out the space rocket assembly and launch sites.
“We will discuss all the issues without rushing. We have time,” Putin said when asked if military cooperation would be on the agenda.
Korean People’s Army Marshal Pak Jong Chon and Munitions Industry Department Director Jo Chun Ryong are accompanying Kim Jong Un along with other highly placed North Korean officials.
A North Korean defector told news agency AFP that Russia needs North Korea’s stockpile of artillery shells and will provide Pyongyang with satellite technology and upgrade its Soviet-era military equipment in return.
Russia’s natural resources minister Alexander Kozlov greeted Kim Jong Un earlier on Tuesday with historic autographed photographs of Soviet cosmonauts, including Yuri Gagarin.
Kim Jong Un will also seek food aid from Putin, North Korea observers told news outlets, as parts of North Korea witness severe starvation as the nation lacks food resources due to crippling sanctions which have also impacted its own agrarian industries.