Kim Jong Un gave Putin some fan art of the Russian leader, and that's just the tip of their dog-petting, joyriding day of ultimate bromance

Matthew LohJun 21, 2024, 15:26 IST

Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un walk to their seats to watch a performance in North Korea.North Korean State Media

Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin made sure to show off what seems like a budding bromance on Wednesday.
Kim lavished Putin with gifts, including art pieces of the Russian leader, while he got a luxury limo.

Russian leader Vladimir Putin visited Pyongyang on Wednesday, spending a day with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un as they seek to bolster cooperation between their nations.

Photos of their day together present a rosy relationship between both leaders, underscoring how heavily Pyongyang and Moscow hope to lean on each other as they grow increasingly isolated from the rest of the world.

Indeed, Putin's Wednesday visit was his first to North Korea since 2000.

Kim, for his part, rolled out the red carpet for Putin, showering him with gifts, a dramatic welcoming ceremony, a banquet, and a concert.

If North Korean and Russian state media had their way, you would think both men had been best buds for decades.

Kim brought Putin to Kim Il Sung Square, where a crowd waited for them.

Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin shake hands at a welcoming ceremony for the Russian leader.North Korean State Media

Both men were paraded in a Mercedes Benz as the crowd released balloons.

Putin arrived early on Wednesday morning in Pyongyang.North Korean State Media

Hundreds of portraits of Kim and Putin were reported to be hanging throughout Pyongyang.

Kim and Putin's portraits hung above Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang.North Korean State Media

One of Kim's gifts to Putin appears to be a portrait of the Russian leader.

Kim Jong Un presents Putin with artwork of the Russian leader.North Korean State Media

Another is of a bust bearing Putin's likeness.

Kim Jong Un presents a bust in Putin's likeness to the Russian leader.North Korean State Media

Putin gave Kim some presents, including an admiral's ceremonial blade and a tea set.

Putin presents a gift to Kim Jong Un at a state guest house.North Korean State Media

Kim also received a Russian-made Aurus limousine, which both men took turns driving.

Putin and Kim both took turns at the wheel, photos show.North Korean State Media

Kim presented Putin with several white horses deployed for the welcoming ceremony.

Putin and Kim observe one of the horses used in the welcoming ceremony.North Korean State Media

State media released dozens of photos showing both leaders laughing or smiling.

Kim and Putin were pictured walking in a garden of the Kumsusan Guest House in Pyongyang.North Korean State Media

Putin was also given a pair of Pungsan hunting dogs.

Putin observes the dogs gifted by Kim.North Korean State Media

Kim and Putin later sat for negotiations with their officials and a one-on-one conversation.

State media wrote that Kim and Putin spoke for two hours.North Korean State Media

For Russia, North Korea is becoming a source of vital ammunition and arms for the war in Ukraine.

Putin speaks at the negotiations in Pyongyang.North Korean State Media

Observers say that in return, North Korea is getting food, supplies, and materials.

Kim smiles as he attends the negotiations.North Korean State Media

Talks aside, Kim also brought Putin to a gala concert in the Pyongyang Indoor Stadium.

Putin and Kim can be spotted sitting in the center of the stands.North Korean State Media

North Korean singers and a male choir were also featured.

North Korean singers and a male choir performed for Putin.North Korean State Media

Putin received North Korea's highest honor, named after Kim's grandfather.

Putin received North Korea's highest honor during his visit.North Korean State Media

A banquet was held in Putin's honor, attended by Russia's top officials.

Kim and Putin share a toast at a banquet table.North Korean State Media

Putin praised Kim, saying that 'a good neighbor is better than a brother far away.'

North Korean state media said Putin praised the meal.North Korean State Media

It was time for Kim to say goodbye to Putin by Wednesday evening.

Kim waves to Putin's plane as the Russian leader prepares to depart.North Korean State Media

Waving through his aircraft window, Putin replicated the show of friendship before the cameras.

Putin waves back through his plane window.North Korean State Media

Meanwhile, the war in Ukraine rages on, with renewed fighting in Kharkiv.

A Ukrainian soldier prepares 155mm artillery rounds in a trench.Diego Herrera Carcedo/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

With North Korea aggressively testing devastating weapons, Seoul is aghast at the Putin-Kim meet-up.

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA - 2024/04/22: South Korea's 24-hour Yonhapnews TV shows a file image of North Korea's missile launch during a news program on a TV at Yongsan Railroad Station in Seoul.Kim Jae-Hwan/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Even as he meets with Kim, Putin must keep China top-of-mind.

Russian leader Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping shaking hands during a meeting in Beijing on October 18, 2023.SERGEI GUNEYEV/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

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