Main Topic: Russia's defense minister accompanies North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to a defense exhibition featuring banned ballistic missiles, signaling a boost in ties between the two countries.
Key Points:
1. Russian defense minister Sergei Shoigu visits North Korea, marking the first visit by a Russian defense minister since the fall of the Soviet Union.
2. The visit by the Russian and Chinese delegations signifies North Korea's first major opening up to the world since the coronavirus pandemic.
3. The display of banned ballistic missiles at the exhibition suggests Russian acceptance of North Korea's nuclear program, raising the prospect of more open support for North Korea.
Main Topic: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's tour of weapons factories and his pledge to advance the military's arms and war readiness.
Key Points:
1. Kim Jong Un toured weapons factories producing artillery systems and launch vehicles for nuclear-capable ballistic missiles.
2. The tour is seen as a response to the joint U.S.-South Korea military drills and a demonstration of North Korea's military might.
3. Experts suggest that the tour could also be related to possible military cooperation with Russia and an intent to export weapons.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un may travel to Russia for a summit with President Vladimir Putin, where Russia seeks to buy ammunition from North Korea in exchange for food, energy shipments, and transfers of sophisticated weapons technologies.
The European Union condemns the "illegitimate" elections held in Russian-annexed parts of Ukraine, while a UN official says that Russia's aggression in Ukraine is synonymous with torture and inhuman cruelty; meanwhile, the Kremlin spokesperson claims that no one will be able to compete with Putin if he runs for president in 2024, and the UN Human Rights Commissioner states that Russia's withdrawal from a grain deal is fueling global food insecurity. Ukrainian forces regain control of drilling platforms near the Crimean coast and Putin arrives in Vladivostok for the Eastern Economic Forum, while South Korean media reports that Kim Jong Un is en route to Russia, and Ukraine reports advances in Bakhmut and Donetsk city. Finally, Brazil's President Lula says it's up to the judiciary whether to arrest Putin if he visits the country.
A luxury armored train believed to be carrying Kim Jong Un has departed from Pyongyang for Vladivostok, Russia, where the North Korean leader may meet with President Vladimir Putin, potentially signaling a strengthening alliance between the two countries amid tensions with the United States.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's visit to Russia has raised concerns that he may provide military support to President Putin's war in Ukraine.
North Korean leaders have a long tradition of using trains for travel, as evidenced by the preserved and displayed train carriages of Kim Jong Un's father and grandfather at the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun in Pyongyang.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un exchanged rifles as gifts during their meeting in Russia, with Putin also giving Kim a glove from a space suit that has been to space several times; Kim's visit to Russia's Far East is expected to last for a few more days.
Armored limousines belonging to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un are loaded onto his armored train using a specially designed ramp, providing a rare glimpse into the transportation logistics of the dictator.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un expresses gratitude towards Russian President Vladimir Putin for his hospitality during his visit, fueling concerns in the West over potential military cooperation between the two countries amidst ongoing sanctions.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has returned home from his trip to Russia, where he strengthened ties with President Vladimir Putin, raising speculation about potential arms transfer deals between the two countries in violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions.
