North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visits Russia – in pictures

Kim Jong-un has arrived at a cosmodrome in Russia’s far east for a meeting with President Vladimir Putin

Main image: Vladimir Putin greets Kim Jong un at the Vostochny cosmodrome. Photograph: Sputnik/Reuters

  • The train with North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong-un, arrives after crossing the border to Russia at Khasan, about 79 miles south of Vladivostok on Tuesday
    The train with North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-un arrives after crossing the border to Russia

  • Kim leaves the train at Khasan
    Kim leaves the train at Khasan

  • Kim at the welcoming ceremony with the Russian minister of natural resources and ecology, Alexander Kozlov
    Kim at the welcoming ceremony with the Russian minister of natural resources and ecology, Alexander Kozlov

  • The flags of Russia and North Korea at the Vostochny cosmodrome in the far eastern Amur region
    The flags of Russia and North Korea at the Vostochny cosmodrome in the far eastern Amur region

  • Kim arrives at the Vostochny cosmodrome, Russia’s most modern space launch facility
    Kim arrives at the cosmodrome

  • Vladimir Putin greets Kim at the cosmodrome. Putin in his opening remarks welcomed Kim to Russia and said he was glad to see him
    Putin greets Kim at the Vostochny cosmodrome

  • Putin and Kim toured facilities at the cosmodrome, including two launchpads.
    Putin and Kim at the cosmodrome

  • Through a translator, Kim called North Korea’s relations with Russia ‘the first priority’
    Putin greets Kim at the Vostochny cosmodrome

  • The two leaders toured a Soyuz-2 space rocket launch facility, during which Kim asked a Russian space official questions about the rockets
    Putin with Kim at the Vostochny cosmodrome

  • Kim’s meeting with Putin came hours after North Korea fired two ballistic missiles into the sea off its east coast
    Kim’s meeting with Putin

  • Putin and Kim examine a launchpad
    Putin with Kim at the Vostochny cosmodrome

  • The decision to meet at Vostochny cosmodrome, Russia’s most important domestic satellite launch facility, suggests Kim is seeking Russian technical assistance for his efforts to develop military reconnaissance satellites, which he has described as crucial in enhancing the threat of his nuclear-capable missiles
    Putin with Kim at the Vostochny cosmodrome

  • Kim was accompanied by Pak Thae-song, chair of North Korea’s space science and technology committee, and Adm Kim Myong-sik, who are linked with North Korean efforts to acquire spy satellites and nuclear-capable ballistic missile submarines, according to South Korea’s unification ministry
    Putin with Kim at the Vostochny cosmodrome
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