By BBC News World
Jun 19, 2024, 09:34 AM EDT
It is not that North Korea receives many state visits, but when the day comes that a very important ally sets foot on its soil, the display it makes is spectacular.
The president of Russia, Vladimir Putin, arrived in Pyongyang this Wednesday – on his first official visit to the Asian country in 24 years – and was received by his counterpart Kim Jong-un.
As these images show, the occasion was marked with pomp. And Putin’s last visit was in 2000, when Kim Jong-il, father of the current leader, was still in power.
At the airport, there were red carpets, red roses, the honor guard standing at attention on the tarmac, while the two leaders smiled and hugged.
Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang was packed with crowdscolored balloons, flowers, choreographies.
Huge banners with photos of the two leaders adorned surrounding buildings during the welcoming ceremony.
Kim called Russia “the most honest friend and ally,” and has referred to Putin as “the dearest friend of the Korean people“, according to the state agency RIA.
Both countries signed an agreement that provides “mutual aid” in case of “aggression” against any of themPutin said, quoted by Russian state media.
The Russian president also called Pyongyang’s position on Ukraine “another test of its sovereign policy.”
“This lavish welcome comes at a time when heavily sanctioned North Korea has been suffering food, fuel and energy shortagesand an exhausted economy that has been made much worse by the Covid-19 pandemic,” says BBC journalist Shaimaa Khalil, from Seoul.
Despite the economic situation, Pyongyang seems to have spared no resources for this visit, hoping, of course, that it will bear fruit, says Khalil.
Putin presented his counterpart with a luxurious Russian Aurus car, an admiral’s dagger and a tea set, Russian state media reported, citing presidential aide Yuri Ushakov.
A tea party and gala concert are planned in the evening.
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