Russia-North Korea summit opens up prospects for bilateral cooperation

President Putin: Russia and North Korea have in-depth face-to-face dialogue

Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Photo: TASS

Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un had a "one-on-one" meeting that lasted for two hours, twice the expected time.

The closed-door talks took place at Building S on the campus of Far Eastern Federal University (FEFU). Only interpreters were allowed to attend the talks with the two leaders.

Assessing the "one-on-one" talks, Russian President Putin said that both sides had "an extensive face-to-face dialogue".

"We touched on the history of Russia-North Korea relations and the prospects for the future development of bilateral relations," President Putin said.

The Russian leader added that the two sides touched on the issue on the Korean Peninsula, exchanging views on measures and actions to improve the situation.

The two leaders had a "one-on-one" meeting. Screenshot

Expressing his gratitude to Leader Kim Jong-un for accepting the invitation to visit Moscow, President Putin used intimate language when calling the North Korean leader "dear comrade".

On the North Korean side, Leader Kim Jong-un expressed hope that the dialogue with President Putin will continue in a useful and constructive manner.

"We had a candid and meaningful conversation, covering issues of mutual concern. Thank you for the wonderful conversation and I hope that our talks will continue to be held and be decisive," said Kim Jong-un.

8 North Korean journalists attended the conference

North Korean reporters are present to work in Vladivostok. Photo: TASS

In Vladivostok, eight North Korean journalists and reporters were present to cover the Russia-North Korea Summit.

All reporters of the North Korean media group wear black suits and black leather shoes, both men and women. Notably, on the left lapels of the reporters are badges. On the badges are images of the late President Kim Il Sung - founder of the Korean Workers' Party and Mr. Kim Jong-Il - father of Leader Kim Jong-un.

North Korean reporters display a confident demeanor, but maintain a somewhat reserved attitude toward foreign colleagues.

President Putin and Leader Kim Jong-un meet at the main building of Far Eastern Federal University. Screenshot

Putin: Visit to Russia will help North Korea resolve denuclearization issue

Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his delight at the presence of Leader Kim Jong-un in Vladivostok.

President Putin expressed confidence that Leader Kim Jong-un's visit to Russia will help resolve the issue of denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula.

"I believe that your visit to Russia this time will strengthen the development of bilateral relations, as well as help North Korea better understand Russia's views on resolving the situation on the Korean Peninsula. What we will do together, what Russia is capable of, to promote the process of complete denuclearization," said Russian President Putin.

At the same time, the Russian leader welcomed North Korea's efforts to normalize relations with the United States.

Russian President Putin once again stressed that he was "very pleased" to meet Mr. Kim Jong-un in Russia. The event has long attracted the attention of officials and people on both sides.

Leader Kim Jong-un and Russian President Putin.

Thanking Russia for the welcome, Leader Kim Jong-un expressed hope that the Russia-North Korea summit will promote bilateral cooperation and resolve issues on the Korean Peninsula.

"I hope the meeting with President Putin will help consolidate and develop the traditional friendship. The talks will be an important event to reassess the situation and frankly exchange views," said leader Kim Jong-un, expressing his confidence that the meeting will bring good results.

The two leaders shook hands. Photo: TASS

The two leaders entered into a closed-door meeting that lasted for an hour. This was followed by expanded bilateral talks.

Meeting space of Russian and North Korean leaders. Photo: TASS

300 reporters working at the Russia-North Korea summit

About 300 reporters from countries in the Asia-Pacific region such as China, South Korea, Japan... were granted permission to work at the summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

The press center was established in building S, where the main talks took place, and was fully equipped with modern facilities and wifi coverage for reporters to work conveniently. In addition, there was a resting area, providing tea, coffee and food for reporters, journalists and representatives of news agencies.

Residents of Primorsky region welcome with joy

On social media, residents of Primorsky Krai and other Russian regions expressed a warm welcome to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, with most posting videos of the arrival of Kim's armored train in Vladivostok.

Many residents eagerly watched and filmed the train's movement from the windows of apartments located near the tracks. In addition, social media flooded with videos of leader Kim Jong-un's motorcade on the central streets of Vladivostok.

Videos of North Korean convoys and armored trains were posted on social media by Vladivostok residents.

Not only the people of Primorsky region expressed their warm welcome to the visit of the North Korean leader, but people across Russia also expressed their welcome in many different ways.

Poet Sergei Rumyantsev, winner of two literary awards, from Moscow posted a poem dedicated to Kim Jong-un on social media. The poem consists of nine stanzas, describing the main issues that will take place during the meeting and the expectations."Here comes the armored train/Limousine/Perron/Mr. Kim Jong-un. Vladivostok awaits with joy. There will be a dialogue!"

Poem welcoming Leader Kim Jong-un.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

This is North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's first visit to Russia at the invitation of President Putin, after the meeting between Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and late North Korean leader Kim Jong Il on August 24, 2011 in Ulan-Ude.

The modern campus of the Far Eastern Federal University (FEFU), located on Russky Island, Ajax Bay, was chosen as the meeting place for the leaders of Russia and North Korea. The infrastructure at FEFU is considered to be qualified to hold high-level international meetings. FEFU has been chosen many times as the venue for major events such as the APEC 2012 Summit, the annual Vladivostok Economic Forum (WEF).

The national flags of Russia and North Korea are hung across the main streets of Vladivostok. Photo: TASS

The bilateral talks are expected to take place at FEFU's S building, which regularly hosts WEF plenary sessions. According to TASS's own sources, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's residence is located next to this S building.

The Putin-Kim meeting is expected to begin after 1 p.m. (local time, 10 a.m. Hanoi time). After the honorary greeting ceremony in the main hall of the FEFU building, the two leaders will have a one-on-one talk for 1 hour. After that, expanded bilateral negotiations will take place.

There is no official information yet about the signed documents or joint statement of the two leaders after the summit. However, according to many sources, President Putin will hold a press conference after the conference.