North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Wednesday met Russian President Vladimir Putin and said Pyongyang wants to further develop ties with Moscow.
Kim, who travelled to Russia in his special train, met Putin in the Vostochny spaceport.
"We want to further develop ties [with Russia]. We have always supported all the decisions by President Putin and decisions by the Russian government," Kim was quoted as saying by Sputnik Globe.
"Our friendship has deep roots, and the very first priority for our country now is relations with Russia," Kim said.
He also thanked Putin for inviting him to Russia.
During the meeting, Putin said he is 'proud' of Russia's space research works.
"I am very glad to see and welcome you again in Russia. This time, as we agreed, [wee meet] at our cosmodrome, the Vostochny cosmodrome. We are proud of how this industry is developing in our country," Putin was quoted as saying by Sputnik Globe.
"We, of course, need to talk about economic cooperation, humanitarian issues, and the situation in the region," he said.
The last meeting between the two leaders took place in 2019 when Kim had visited Russia.
According to reports, Kim and Putin inspected the launch facility of the Soyuz-2 space rocket complex at Russia's Vostochny Cosmodrome in the Amur Region.
Putin said Russia would help North Korea in space exploration and rocket construction.
"The North Korean leadership is interested in rocket construction, they are also trying to develop space technologies," Putin was quoted as saying by Sputnik Global.
