By North Korean leader Kim Jong Un continued his visit to Russia on Friday, where he toured an aircraft manufacturing plant located in the eastern city of Komsomolsk-on-Amur. This facility is known as the country’s largest aviation production centre and specializes in the development and construction of military aircraft, including fighter jets like the Su-35S and Su-57 for the Ministry of Defense.
Accompanying Kim on this tour were Alexander Zhornik, the mayor of Komsomolsk-on-Amur, and Mikhail Degtyarev, the Governor of the Khabarovsk Region. Kim’s itinerary also includes a planned visit to the port city of Vladivostok, where he will observe the military capabilities of Russia’s Pacific Fleet, as confirmed by Russian President Vladimir Putin in an announcement to state news agency Russia 1.
This visit to significant locations in Russia’s Far East follows Putin’s statement that Russia is engaged in discussions about potential military cooperation with North Korea. Since his arrival in Russia earlier in the week via an armoured train, Kim has held talks with President Vladimir Putin and explored various weapons and technology facilities. These developments underscore the deepening ties between these two nations, both of which are facing challenges and tensions with Western countries.
There is speculation among foreign governments and experts that Kim may consider supplying ammunition to Russia for its involvement in Ukraine’s conflict in exchange for advanced weapons or technology from Russia.
Earlier on Friday, Russia’s state news agency RIA Novosti shared a video of Kim’s train arriving at a station in Komsomolsk-on-Amur, followed by his convoy leaving shortly thereafter. Governor Mikhail Degtyarev mentioned that Kim’s late father, Kim Jong Il, had also visited the same plant in 2002.
Degtyarev emphasized the historical ties between the two countries, recalling, “Our fathers and grandfathers jointly fought against Japanese militarism, our country supported North Korea in its fight against U.S. imperial ambitions in the 1950s, and now we are jointly resisting Western pressure. I’m confident that our countries will continue to uphold the ideals of freedom and a multipolar world through our joint efforts.”
During Wednesday’s summit, Kim expressed “full and unconditional support” for Putin in what appeared to be a reference to Russia’s stance in the conflict in Ukraine, describing it as a “just fight against hegemonic forces to defend its sovereign rights, security, and interests.”
Please note that most of the information about Kim’s trip to Russia comes from official media outlets of both countries. North Korean media did not provide updates on Kim’s activities on Friday, typically reporting on them a day later, seemingly aligned with North Korean propaganda efforts to glorify Kim.
