North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to visit Pyongyang, according to the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
The KCNA report said that Kim Jong-un expressed his “sincere hope” that Putin would visit North Korea at a “convenient time” and that Putin “warmly welcomed” the proposal. The report also said that the two sides discussed “practical issues” related to strengthening bilateral relations and cooperation in various fields.The meeting between Kim Jong-un and Putin came after the Russian head of state hosted Kim Jong-un for a rare summit in Vladivostok in April 2019. The two leaders discussed the situation on the Korean Peninsula and agreed to enhance their strategic partnership.
The invitation from Kim Jong-un to Putin is seen as a sign of North Korea’s desire to maintain close ties with Russia amid stalled nuclear talks with the United States. North Korea has also sought to improve its relations with China, its main ally and economic partner, in recent years.