Russia gifts North Korea’s Kim kamikaze drones, bulletproof vest as state visit ends

Kim Jong-un received the gifts, including special clothing undetectable by thermal cameras, at the end of his longest foreign trip since taking power

As the North Korean leader’s armoured train departed he was waved off by officials to the sound of Russian patriotic song ‘Farewell of Slavianka’

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North Korea’s Kim Jong-un shakes hands with Russian natural-resources minister Alexander Kozlov during a farewell ceremony at a railway station near Vladivostok. Photo: KCNA VIA KNS / AFP

Published: 7:51am, 18 Sep 2023Updated: 1:47pm, 18 Sep 2023

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un received five explosive drones, a reconnaissance drone and a bulletproof vest as gifts before he departed Russia, the official TASS news agency reported.

Kim’s armoured train pulled out of a railway station in Artyom, a far eastern Russian city about 200km (124 miles) from the border with North Korea, on Sunday to the sound of the Russian patriotic march song “Farewell of Slavianka” at the end of a farewell ceremony, according to Russian state news agency RIA.

Senior officials including Russia’s Minister of Natural Resources Alexander Kozlov and Primorye regional Governor Oleg Kozhemyako were present at the ceremony, which featured a Russian military band playing both North Korean and Russian national anthems.

Kim receives a farewell ceremony at Artyom railway station on Sunday at the end of his visit to Russia. Photo: KCNA via KNS / AFP

It was the North Korean leader’s longest foreign trip since he took power in late 2011. Observers said he was expected to return to Pyongyang on Monday afternoon.

Before departing from Vladivostok, the Pacific port city just over the border, Kim was presented with five explosive drones, a reconnaissance drone and a bulletproof vest as gifts from the governor of the Primorye region, which borders China and North Korea.

Pyongyang’s Korean Central News Agency on Monday said Kim “extended his heartfelt thanks to President Putin and the Russian leadership” for “their special care and cordial hospitality” as he wrapped up the visit.

Kim is heading home “after successfully completing the schedule of his official goodwill visit to the Russian Federation,” KCNA said.