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September 13, 2023

Kim Jong-un Vows "Unconditional Support" to Vladimir Putin as Leaders Meet in Russia
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North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin met
earlier today at the Vostochny Cosmodrome in far-eastern Russia. Just
hours before the leaders met, Pyongyang fired two short-range ballistic
missiles off its east coast. Kim spoke as the brief summit opened.

Kim Jong-un: "Russia is now in the sacred fight against hegemonic forces
in order to protect its sovereignty and security interests. 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 details of their private meeting are not known, but North Korea and
Russia are expected to be in talks over the trade of weapons and defense
technology.

Meanwhile, during a speech at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok
Tuesday, Putin said Donald Trump's prosecution shows the "rottenness" of
U.S. politics.