Welcome to Weekly News Highlights where we wrap up your week with a glimpse back into what went on over the past week.
I’m Kim Dami in Seoul.
North Korea’s Kim Jong-un and Russia’s Vladimir Putin reunited after four and a half years, this time at a Russian spaceport.
The two promised to back one another in their needs and interests, namely defense and space technology.
And Seoul warned Pyongyang and Moscow not to get involved in any arms deal.
Washington also stressed such cooperation would lead to quote “repercussions.”
It was an especially tough week for Libya with the city of Derna devastated by floods.
And Morocco is still struggling to get back on its feet following one of the country’s deadliest earthquakes.
North Korea leader Kim Jong-un traveled to Russia by train this week for summit talks with Russian leader Vladimir Putin.
They shared a special bond this time with both asking the other to provide what they need and guaranteeing to do so.
That is unconditional support for Russia and space technology for North Korea.
And after issuing multiple rounds of warnings over the two sides’ apparent weapons accord, the U.S. has slapped sanctions on more than 150 entities accused of aiding Russia in its aggression against Ukraine.
This time, the sanctions package also targets so-called transit countries like Türkiye and Georgia.
Lee Seung-jae has more.
(Weekly Focus) Kim, Putin discuss satellite cooperation, Ukraine war and other military matters at Russian rocket launch site
(ANCHOR)
The leaders of the two isolates states renewed their dedication and commitment to have each other’s back.
That is Pyongyang’s full support for Moscow and Russian space technology for North Korea.
Let’s talk more about their bonding time with our foreign affairs correspondent Bae Eun-ji.
Welcome, Eun-ji.
(REPORTER)
Thanks for having me.
Q1.
So Eun-ji, their meeting lasted for about five hours.
What topped their talks?
A1.
Well Dami, sitting next to Putin, Kim said in his opening remarks that Russia is fighting a “sacred war.”
He vowed full support, stressing that his regime would fight together in the battle against “imperialism.”
“We have constantly expressed our full and unconditional support for all the decisions taken by the president and the Russian leadership, and I want to assure you that we will always be together with Russia in the fight against imperialism.”
The two leaders held talks for several hours with their ministers before holding a separate one-on-one meeting.
This was followed by a lavish lunch, where Kim said they held an elaborate discussion about the “military and political situation” on the Korean Peninsula and in Europe.
There, he reassured Putin that Russia would win against what Kim called “evil.”
“Russian army and people will certainly secure a great victory in the sacred struggle for the punishment of a great evil that claims hegemony and feeds an expansionist illusion.”
As for Russia, Putin did not disclose specific details on military cooperation but signaled his willingness to assist Pyongyang with their satellite program.
When asked by Russian media whether Russia would help North Korea launch its own satellites and rockets, Putin responded by saying “that’s exactly why we’re here.”
He added that Kim showed great interest in rocket engineering.
This comes as North Korea twice failed to launch spy satellites in the past four months.
Q2.
Right and this is the first time they’ve met in more than four years how was their meeting different from the one in 2019?
A2.
The war in Ukraine has turned the tables, and things have definitely changed since their last summit.
The meeting in April 2019 took place just two months after the nuclear summit between Kim and former U.S. President Donald Trump ended in failure, without an agreement.
North Korea was desperately looking for a diplomatic lifeline, as it had been under UN sanctions for its nuclear and ballistic missile programs since 2006.
But now, it is Putin reaching out to Kim for help, as Russia is completely isolated on the global stage, and in need of help for more weapons.
Putin, who’s usually late to meetings with other foreign leaders, arrived at the Vostochny Cosmodrome early, and waited for Kim for about 30 minutes.
As Kim arrived at the remote space launch site in Russia’s Far East, they were seen exchanging smiles and shaking hands…
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#Morocco #Earthquake #Libya #Flood #Damage #Hwarot #BTS #RM
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2023-09-16, 12:00 (KST)
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