On September 13, 2023, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chairman of State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea Kim Jong-un held talks at the Vostochny Space Launch Centre, also called the Vostochny Cosmodrome. During the meeting, Kim Jong-un said that North Korea' relations with the Russia are the "top priority" for the country. He then added: "Russia is currently engaged in a sacred battle to defend its state sovereignty and security in the face of the hegemonic forces that oppose Russia... We have always supported and will continue to support every decision made by President Putin... I also hope that we will always stand together in fighting imperialism and building a sovereign state."
On the same day, the Kremlin organized a formal dinner in honor of Kim Jong-un. During the formal dinner, Kim Hong-un stated: "This visit is taking place at a time when a fierce competition between progress and reaction, between justice and injustice is gaining momentum on the international stage, and when the rise of the multipolar world is proceeding thanks to the common will and combined strength of independent forces." He then added: "We are confident that the Russian army and people will inevitably attain victory in the sacred struggle to punish the evil crowd, which claims the right to hegemony based on the illusion of expansionism." Earlier in the day, Putin met Kim Jong-un at the Vostochny Cosmodrome, where leaders inspected facilities, including a booster assembly room for Angara launch vehicles, the launching site for the Soyuz-2 space launch vehicle, an Angara launching site under construction, and the launch control center.[1]
(Source: Kremlin.ru)
Following are transcripts of the talks at the Vostochny Space Launch Centre and of the speeches at the formal dinner:[2]
Talks At The Vostochny Space Launch Centre
Putin: "Our Relationship Dates Back To Korea's Struggle For Freedom In 1945"
Vladimir Putin: "Mr. Chairman,
"I am delighted to see you again and to welcome you to Russia. This time we are meeting at the Vostochny Cosmodrome, just as we agreed.
"We are proud of the way this sector is developing in Russia, and this is our new facility. I hope that it will be of interest to you and your colleagues.
"However, our meeting is taking place at a special time. The People's Democratic Republic of Korea has recently celebrated the 75th anniversary of its founding, and we established diplomatic relations 75 years ago. I would like to remind you that our country was the first to recognize the sovereignty and independence of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
"This year we mark 70 years since the end of the war for independence and the Korean people's victory in that war. It is a landmark date because our country also helped our friends in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to fight for their independence.
"Of course, we need to talk about our economic cooperation, humanitarian issues and the situation in the region.
"There are many issues we will discuss. I would like to say that I am glad to see you. Thank for accepting our invitation to come to Russia. Welcome.
(Source: Kremlin.ru)
(Source: Kremlin.ru)
(Source: Kremlin.ru)
Kim Jong-un: "Russia Is Currently Engaged In A Sacred Battle To Defend Its State Sovereignty"
Kim Jong-un: "I express my gratitude to you for inviting us despite your being busy with state affairs. Our visit to Russia is taking place at a very important time. The Russian side is giving a warm welcome to the delegation from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. From the moment we arrived in Russia, we could feel the sincerity of our Russian friends. On behalf of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, I express my gratitude to you and to the people of the Russian Federation. I also thank you for paying so much attention to our visit to Russia.
"We have been able to see with our own eyes the present and the future of Russia as it builds itself as a space power. Right now, we are having a meeting at a very special moment, right in the heart of the space power which is Russia.
"As you mentioned, the Soviet Union played a major role in liberating our country and helping it become an independent state, and our friendship has deep roots. Currently, our relations with the Russian Federation are the top priority for our country. I am confident that our meeting will serve as another step in elevating our relations to a new level.
"As you have just mentioned, we have many issues pertaining to the development of our relations, including politics, the economy and culture, in order to contribute to the improvement of the well-being of our peoples.
"Russia is currently engaged in a sacred battle to defend its state sovereignty and security in the face of the hegemonic forces that oppose Russia. We are willing to continue to develop our relations. We have always supported and will continue to support every decision made by President Putin, as well as the decisions of the Russian Government. I also hope that we will always stand together in fighting imperialism and building a sovereign state.
"Once again, I express my gratitude to you for providing us with the opportunity to visit Russia and for paying so much attention to our visit."
Inspecting the Vostochny Cosmodrome with Chairman of State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea Kim Jong-un (center). Roscosmos Director General Yury Borisov (left) and Director General of the Centre for the Operation of Ground-Based Space Infrastructure Nikolai Nestechuk (right) are providing explanations. (Source: Artem Geodakyan, TASS)
Inspecting the Vostochny Cosmodrome Kim Jong-un. (Source: Kremlin.ru)
Inspecting the Vostochny Cosmodrome Kim Jong-un. (Source: Kremlin.ru)
Formal Dinner In Honor Of Kim Jong-un
Putin: "Our Relationship Dates Back To Korea's Struggle For Freedom In 1945"
Vladimir Putin: "Comrade President, friends,
"Allow me once again to cordially welcome our distinguished guests, Comrade Kim Jong-un and all our Korean colleagues.
"I remember well when, during our talks in Vladivostok in 2019, we exchanged views on the development of our relations and on the international agenda at that time. Your current visit is taking place in an atmosphere of true camaraderie, friendship and positivity. We have an extensive agenda and a program that includes visits not only to the Vostochny Cosmodrome, but also to other major high-tech clusters, industrial facilities and innovation centers in the Russian Far East.
"This year, Russia and North Korea will mark a significant anniversary – 75 years of diplomatic relations. The Soviet Union was the first to recognize the newly established Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Our relationship dates back to Korea's struggle for freedom in 1945, when Soviet and Korean soldiers, shoulder to shoulder, smashed the Japanese militarists.
"Today, we strive to further strengthen the bonds of companionship and neighbourly relations, and work for peace, stability and prosperity in the region we share.
"Comrade Kim Jong-un, you are firmly and confidently following the course laid down by outstanding statesmen such as the founder of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Kim Il-sung, and his successor, Comrade Kim Jong Il. They were our genuine and true friends and consistently supported building the closest relations and ties between our countries.
"A Korean proverb says, 'good clothes are new clothes, but a good friend is an old friend.' Russian people say, 'an old friend is better than two new ones.' These popular sayings are fully applicable to modern relations between our countries.
"I would like to propose a toast to the further strengthening of friendship and cooperation between our countries, between the Russian Federation and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, to the success and prosperity of our nations, to the health of Comrade Chairman and all those present."
Kim Jong-un: "The Russian Army And People Will Inevitably Attain Victory In The Sacred Struggle To Punish The Evil Crowd"
Kim Jong-un: "I am delighted to be able to visit Russia after four years and five months [after receiving the invitation], to meet with President Putin and to be in this remarkable place filled with the feeling of sincere comradely friendship.
"Comrade Putin, first of all, I would like to express our sincere gratitude for inviting us despite your busy schedule, filled with the affairs of state, and for giving us such a hospitable welcome. I would also like to express our gratitude to officials from the federal center and Far Eastern regions who have done a great deal to make our visit to Russia a success.
"I would like to use this occasion to convey a combat tribute and warm fraternal greetings from the Korean people to the Russian people, who have risen to fulfil the historical mission of building a strong Russia and reliably protecting the country's strategic interests.
"Comrades, this visit is taking place at a time when a fierce competition between progress and reaction, between justice and injustice is gaining momentum on the international stage, and when the rise of the multipolar world is proceeding thanks to the common will and combined strength of independent forces.
"Comrade Putin and I have just had an in-depth discussion on the military-political situation on the Korean Peninsula and in Europe. We have come to a satisfactory consensus regarding the further strengthening of our strategic and tactical cooperation, mutual support and solidarity in the battle for our sovereign right to security and to create guarantees for a lasting peace in the region and the world. We are confident that the Russian army and people will inevitably attain victory in the sacred struggle to punish the evil crowd, which claims the right to hegemony based on the illusion of expansionism, a struggle to create the stability needed for development.
"The task of expanding and building up Russian-North Korean relations not only fully meets the interests of our two nations but is also a relevant part of the current period of striving for independence. I will work together with the President of Russia to develop stable and forward-looking Russian-North Korean relations for decades to come, using them to stimulate the development of strong states in our countries and to ensure genuine international justice.
"As soon as I stepped on Russian soil, I got a sense of your fighting spirit and exuberant activity, and I have become a direct witness to the remarkable achievements of the Russian people in the creation of a powerful modern Russia under the wise guidance of Comrade Putin.
"I have no doubt that the heroic Russian army and people, the glorious successors of the traditions of victory, will convincingly demonstrate the invaluable importance of honor on two fronts: during the special military operation and when building a powerful state.
"In conclusion, I would like to express confidence that this visit will provide a vital impetus to the further development of the traditionally friendly North Korean-Russian relations and their transformation into unbreakable relations of strategic cooperation.
"I raise my glass to the health of Comrade Putin, President of Russia, to the new victories of great Russia, to the continuing development and strengthening of friendship between North Korea and Russia, and to the health of all the comrades present here!"
