2024 visit by Vladimir Putin to North Korea
Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin shaking hands in Pyongyang | |
| Date | June 19, 2024 |
|---|---|
| Location | Pyongyang, North Korea |
| Participants | Kim Jong Un (General Secretary & President of the State Affairs) Vladimir Putin (President) |
On June 19, 2024, Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia, visited North Korea. This was Putin's first official visit to North Korea since 2000, and came after North Korea–Russia relations improved significantly following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The visit included summit meeting between North Korea and Russia where North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met with Putin in Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea. This was the third meeting between the two leaders after the ones in 2019 and 2023. During the visit, the two leaders signed the North Korean–Russian Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Background
The visit came after North Korea–Russia relations improved significantly following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. This was Putin's first official visit to North Korea since 2000.[1] A few days before his arrival, it was reported that the Pyongyang International Airport was cleared of aircraft.[2] A Russian cargo aircraft landed few days before his arrival.[3]
Hours before his arrival, Putin wrote an editorial titled "Russia and the DPRK: Traditions of Friendship and Cooperation Through the Years" in Rodong Sinmun, the official newspaper of the Workers' Party of Korea, where he praised the "friendly and neighborly relationship between Russia and the DPRK", thanked North Korea for its "unwavering support for Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine" and accused the United States of trying to "impose a global neocolonial dictatorship based on double standards".[4]
The visit
Following Putin's arrival to Pyongyang Airport in a Ilyushin Il-96, where he was met by Kim Jong Un, they rode to the Kumsusan State Guest House where Putin stayed during his visit.[5] Pyongyang's streets were decorated with portraits of Putin.[6] During the visit a ceremony took place at Kim Il Sung Square, with Kim and Putin greeting officials on a red carpet, military bands played the national anthems of Russia and North Korea and children waved balloons and the North Korean and Russian flags. Negotiations between the Putin and Kim took place at the Kumsusan Guesthouse and lasted more than 10 hours.[7]
Putin expressed appreciation for North Korea's support of Russia's military actions in Ukraine and emphasized their mutual opposition to Western ambitions, "to hinder the establishment of a multipolar world order based on justice, mutual respect for sovereignty, considering each other’s interests."[8] Kim Jong Un expressed "full support" for Russia's war in Ukraine and pledged stronger strategic ties with Moscow, calling Putin the "dearest friend" of the Korean people.[9] Putin also discussed developing trade and payment systems independent of Western control and expanding cooperation in tourism, culture, and education.[10]
During the visit, a number of agreements were signed, including the North Korean–Russian Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.[11] The agreement was ratified by the Federation Council, the Russian parliament's upper house on November 6, 2024.[12] Following the signature of the pact, the two leaders drove one another in an Aurus Senat limousine, which Putin later presented to Kim as a gift. The North Korean leader, in turn, presented gifts with an image of the Russian president.[13]
See also
- Foreign relations of Russia
- Foreign relations of North Korea
- 2019 visit by Kim Jong Un to Russia
- 2023 visit by Kim Jong Un to Russia
References
- ^ "Grandeur, gifts and performances as Putin visits North Korea". BBC. 2024-06-19.
- ^ Zwirko, Colin (2024-06-12). "Pyongyang airport terminal cleared of planes in sign of prep for Putin visit". NK News. Retrieved 2024-11-06.
- ^ Zwirko, Colin (2024-06-17). "Likely Russian cargo plane land in Pyongyang ahead of Putin visit". NK News. Retrieved 2024-11-06.
- ^ "Putin pens op-ed thanking Pyongyang for support in war against Ukraine ahead of first North Korea visit in 24 years". Meduza. Retrieved 2025-11-12.
- ^ McCarthy, Simone; Chernova, Anna (2024-06-18). "Russia's Putin arrives in North Korea for rare trip as anti-West alignment deepens". CNN. Retrieved 2024-11-06.
- ^ Sokolin, Anton (2024-06-18). "North Korea lines streets with Putin portraits and Russian flags ahead of visit". NK News. Retrieved 2024-11-06.
- ^ Kim, Stella; Aggarwal, Mithil (2024-06-19). "Kim Jong Un and Putin sign mutual defense pact as Russian leader visits North Korea". NBC. Retrieved 2024-11-06.
- ^ "Russia President Vladimir Putin makes a rare visit to North Korea, an old ally". AP News. 2024-06-18. Retrieved 2024-06-18.
- ^ "Putin and Kim Sign Pact Pledging Mutual Support Against 'Aggression'". 2024-06-19. Retrieved 2025-11-12.
- ^ Smith, Josh; Park, Ju-min (19 June 2024). "Russia's Putin and North Korea's Kim sign mutual defence pact". Reuters. Retrieved 20 June 2024.
- ^ "Kremlin says its mutual defence agreement with North Korea is 'unambiguous'". Reuters. 2024-10-15. Retrieved 2024-11-06.
- ^ "Russian Senators Ratify Defense Treaty With North Korea". The Moscow Times. 2024-11-06. Retrieved 2024-11-06.
- ^ "Putin and Kim take each other for a spin in Aurus limousine". Aljazeera. 2024-06-20. Retrieved 2024-11-06.