September 13th 2023.
Hours before Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin met to discuss suspected arms talks, North Korea launched two ballistic missiles towards its eastern seas. The weapons flew across the country, leaving Japan and South Korea wary of their close, yet volatile neighbor. Japan's Coast Guard reported that the missiles likely landed safely, but warned vessels to watch out for falling objects.
The two leaders arrived at Vostochny Cosmodrome in Russia's far east, where they shook hands and Putin welcomed Kim. Kim thanked Putin for the invitation to visit Russia, despite his busy schedule. After Kim arrived by limousine, the two inspected the cosmodrome and then sat down for talks.
For Putin, the meeting was an opportunity to fill the ammunition stores that the 18-month-old war has drained. For Kim, it was a chance to get around crippling UN sanctions and the diplomatic isolation that has plagued North Korea for years. Kim said his decision to visit Russia four years after his previous visit showed how Pyongyang is prioritizing its relations with Moscow.
North Korea's desperate need for energy and food supplies is well known, and analysts believe that Kim will seek economic aid and military technology during his visit. However, any arms deal that results would violate international sanctions that Russia has supported in the past.
It remains to be seen how the meeting between Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin will turn out, and whether they will reach an agreement that will benefit both countries. Only time will tell.
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