As discussion of Putin’s visit progresses, Kim of North Korea boasts of his “invincible” connections with Russia

Amid rumors of Putin’s upcoming visit to North Korea, state media KCNA said on Wednesday that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un had told President Vladimir Putin that his nation is a “invincible comrade-in-arms” with Russia.

In honor of Russia’s National Day, Kim stated that their “century-old strategic relationship” was strengthened by their encounter with Putin at a Russian satellite launch facility last year.

The announcement followed revelations on Monday from Russia’s Vedomosti newspaper that Putin will be traveling to Vietnam and North Korea in the upcoming weeks.

The trip to Vietnam is scheduled for June 19 and 20, but it has not yet been confirmed, an official in Vietnam told Reuters. The visit’s date has not been announced by the Kremlin, despite its declaration that Russia wishes to promote cooperation with North Korea “in all areas”.

In September of last year, Kim visited the Vostochny Cosmodrome space launch complex in Russia’s Far East, where Putin assured him that he would assist him in developing satellites.

In addition, Kim praised Russia for “suppressing and crushing all the challenges and sanctions and pressures of hostile forces” in order to achieve success in its efforts to forge a powerful nation.

In recent months, Pyongyang and Moscow have hosted delegations from the government, parliament, and other institutions, further intensifying their diplomatic and security ties.

This week, a delegation of public security officers from North Korea was scheduled to visit Russia.

In return for technical assistance with its own nuclear and missile programs, North Korea is allegedly sending weaponry to Russia to help its war against Ukraine, according to officials in Seoul and Washington.