North Korea leader Kim Jong Un did not look healthy according to former CIA North Korea analyst Sue Mi Terry, basing on the footage of his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday. “When I looked at Kim Jong Un for the first time I thought, ‘Ouch! He doesn’t look good,” Terry said to CNN. “There was a time when he lost weight and became better in appearance. So initially, my reaction was that he did not appear as being fit because we always monitor his health anyway,”Terry added.
Another thing she noticed is how Kim made so much fuss about Putin’s arrival, – made North Korea look as a normal country.
Putin arrived for a state visit by red carpet, military ceremony and an embrace from North Korea’s Kim Jong Un during which both leaders pledged to build stronger ties. As he started summit talks with Putin, who thanked his host for support in Russia’s war against Ukraine; Kim announced the beginning of “new era” in relations between them.
According to Russian media agency RIA Novosti, “We are grateful to you for your ratification of systematic and abiding policy of Russia including on Ukrainian issues”, Putin said yesterday.
After welcoming ceremony which featured military band playing music and some mass synchronized dancing held at Kim Il Sung square; Putin invited his opposite number to visit Russia too.
Kim also spoke glowingly about the relationship between their two countries before the negotiation begun this morning while Putin said that a new foundation document would be signed today setting framework for future bilateral relations. “The relations between our countries are reaching new heights which has no equal even comparing it with Period of Korean-Soviet relations last century,” informed Interfax news agency quoting him as saying
The summit is their second meeting in a year after Kim took his bullet-proof train to Russia’s far east last September for a summit with Putin at a space port.
Gifts exchanged: Limo, tea set, artwork
Among the gifts that were exchanged between Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un are a Russian-made limousine, tea set and an artwork.
In February, Putin presented a Russian-built Aurus car to Kim who is known for his love of cars.
