image source, GAVRIIL GRIGOROV/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
- author, Draft
- stock, BBC News World
Not that North Korea receives many state visits, but when the day comes when a very important ally sets foot on its soil, the spectacle it does is awe-inspiring.
Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Pyongyang on Wednesday in his first official visit to the Asian country in 24 years and was welcomed by his counterpart Kim Jong-un.
As these pictures show, the event was marked with pomp. Putin's last visit was in 2000, when the current leader's father, Kim Jong-il, was in power.
image source, Gavriil Grigorov/Reuters
At the airport, red carpets, red roses, a guard of honor stood on the tarmac, and the two leaders smiled and hugged.
Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang was packed with peopleColorful balloons, flowers, dancing.
Large banners with photographs of the two leaders decorated the surrounding buildings during the reception.
image source, GAVRIIL GRIGOROV/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
Kim called Russia a “very sincere friend and ally” and called Putin “”A dear friend of the Korean people“, according to the state agency RIA.
The two countries signed the Treaty of Supply “Mutual assistance” in case of any “aggression” among them.Putin was quoted as saying by Russian state media.
The Russian president also called Pyongyang's stance on Ukraine “another test of its sovereignty principle.”
image source, Vladimir Smirnov/Sputnik/Kremlin Pool/EPA
image source, Gavril Grigorov/Reuters
“This lavish welcome comes at a time when the heavily sanctioned North Korea is suffering Food, fuel and energy shortagesand an exhausted economy made worse by the Covid-19 pandemic,” says Shaima Khalil, a BBC journalist based in Seoul.
image source, Gavriil Grigorov/Sputnik/Kremlin Pool/EPA
Despite the economic situation, Pyongyang appears to have spared no resources for the visit, which Khalil says will certainly pay off.
image source, Vladimir Smirnov/Sputnik/Kremlin Pool/EPA
Putin presented his counterpart with a luxury Russian Auras car, an admiral boxer and a tea set, Russian state media reported, citing presidential aide Yuri Ushakov.
A tea party and gala concert are planned for the evening.
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