North Korean leader Kim Jong Un arrived in Russia’s remote port city of Vladivostok on Saturday morning, where he was shown bomber planes capable of carrying out nuclear attacks. Kim can go to Vladivostok during the day to inspect the naval ships included in Russia’s Pacific Fleet.
Oleg Kozhemyako, the governor of Russia’s Primorsky region, announced Kim’s arrival in the city of Artyom, about 40 kilometers (25 miles) northeast of Vladivostok. The governor released a video on a messaging app, in which Kim is seen smilingly getting off the green-yellow train as school children give him flowers.
After reaching Artyom, Kim reached Vladivostok airport, where Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and other military officials showed him bomber aircraft and other warplanes capable of carrying out nuclear attacks. Shoigu also presented Kim with Russia’s latest missile ‘hypersonic Kinzhal’, which is fired from MiG-31 fighter aircraft.
North Korea’s official media said in a report on Saturday that Kim was “extremely impressed” after seeing Russia’s factory manufacturing state-of-the-art war planes. Kim’s visit follows talks between him and Russian President Vladimir Putin at Vostochny Spaceport on Wednesday and his visit to an aircraft manufacturing plant in Komsomolsk-on-Amur on Friday.
Kim reached Russia on Tuesday in his armored train. He visited many sites related to weapons and technology. Western countries have imposed many sanctions on Russia and North Korea and have isolated them. Experts believe that both the countries are deepening bilateral relations amid increasing tension with America.
Top military officials in charge of North Korea’s nuclear-capable weapons and munitions factories have also arrived in Russia with Kim. This visit has increased the concerns of Western countries about a possible arms deal with Russia in view of the ongoing war in Ukraine.