Vladivostok: What Putin and Jong-un discussed

(Patria) – Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un concluded their first summit with a decision to 'build stronger relations'.

During the two-hour meeting in the Russian city of Vladivostok, Putin offered North Korea assistance to break the deadlock in its relations with other countries, which have deteriorated due to North Korea's nuclear program development.

'We had a substantial discussion, one-on-one,' Putin stated after the meeting. 'We discussed the history of our relations. We also discussed the current situation and opportunities for developing bilateral ties. Of course, we also talked about the situation on the Korean Peninsula.'

While the two leaders did not announce any agreements, the tone of communication differed from that at the summit between the North Korean leader and US President Donald Trump in Vietnam, which ended without an agreement and with differing explanations for the failure to achieve progress on the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

Putin told Jong-un that he supports his efforts to normalize North Korea's relations with the US, and expressed hope that their summit would help define Russia's role in reviving negotiations between Washington and Pyongyang.

Kim was welcomed with all the honors befitting a head of state during a visit, including a military orchestra, with stewards in white gloves running alongside the train and wiping away any trace of dust he might touch upon exiting the train.

Russia opposes Western sanctions, but like China, it wants to see a reduction in North Korea's nuclear program, writes the British newspaper The Guardian.

On the agenda was also the issue of 10,000 North Korean workers in Russia who are forced to leave the country by the end of the year. Labor constitutes a significant portion of North Korea's exports and a source of income. Pyongyang has reportedly already asked Russia to retain the workers beyond the deadline, and due to food shortages, it will likely seek humanitarian aid from Russia, which has provided food aid worth $25 million to Korea in previous years.

The Guardian also writes that Russia would like to gain more significant access to North Korea's mineral resources, including rare metals. At the same time, North Korea is counting on Russian electricity sources, as well as investment in the modernization of its outdated industry, railways, and other infrastructure.