Russian President Vladimir Putin and Democratic People's Republic Korea (DPRK) leader Kim Jong Un agreed to strengthen their nations' relations during Putin's visit to Pyongyang, DPRK state media, KCNA, reported.

Kim greeted Putin at dawn at the airport and after a brief conversation beside Putin's plane.

After that, the two walked through Pyongyang, and "Passing through charmingly lit streets of Pyongyang at night, the top leaders exchanged their pent-up inmost thoughts and opened their minds to more surely develop the DPRK-Russia relations," KCNA added.

This visit marks Putin's first time with the DPRK in 24 years, aiming to enhance trade and security ties and support the DPRK against the United States.

The countries' partnership is an "engine for accelerating the building of a new multi-polar world" and Putin's visit demonstrates the "invincibility and durability" of their friendship and unity, DPRK's KCNA wrote.

Wednesday's agenda includes one-on-one discussions between the two leaders, as well as a gala concert, state reception, honor guards, document signings, and a statement to the media, according to Russia's Interfax news agency, which quoted Putin's foreign policy advisor, Yuri Ushakov.

Signalling that Russia, a veto-wielding member of the UN Security Council, is reassessing its approach to the DPRK, Putin praised Pyongyang ahead of his arrival for resisting what he described as US economic pressure, blackmail, and threats saying, "We are pleased that our friends in North Korea are sticking to their interests very effectively despite decades of economic pressure, provocations, blackmail and military threats from the United States."

In an article on the front page of the DPRK's main newspaper, he promised to "develop a trade and reciprocal payment system that is not controlled by the West and jointly oppose unilateral and illegal restrictive measures," adding that they will "build an equal and inseparable safety structure in Eurasia."

South Korean, US officials discuss Putin's possible visit to DPRK

Senior South Korean and US officials discussed on Friday the potential visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

Kim Hong-kyun, first vice foreign minister of South Korea, emphasized that Putin's trip "should not contribute to enhancing military cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow, which contravenes UN Security Council resolutions and undermines regional peace and stability."

He made the remarks during a phone call with US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell, as reported by South Korean KBS World TV.

Campbell expressed Washington's "full support" for Seoul's position, adding that Washington "deeply sympathizes with concerns regarding regional instability and challenges," according to KBS World TV.

The two sides are preparing a “coordinated stern response to the North's provocations against the South or acts that serve to heighten tensions in the region.”

The Kremlin has neither denied nor confirmed the reports.

It is worth noting that the DPRK leader paid a state visit to Russia last year, and relations have grown amid Moscow’s war on Ukraine since February 2022, which has drawn criticism from US-led Western nations.​​​​​​​

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