Two Days In Vladivostok, Kim Jong-un Ends Visit To Russia And Returns To North Korea

JAKARTA - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un began his return trip to his country after a layover in the town of Vladivostok, Russia's far east, where he visited a university, aquarium and animal feed plant, according to state media on Monday.

Leader Kim spent two days in Vladivostok reviewing various facilities in the military, economic, science, education and culture fields, before saying goodbye to the release ceremony at Artyom station, KCNA said.

The visit ended a week-long visit by Leader Kim in Russia, in which he promised to increase military and economic cooperation with President Vladimir Putin.

Leader Kim left Artyom-Primorsky 1 station in the Primorye Region, Russia, heading towards the border in the south of the region. The North Korean leader train headed to the Khasan border checkpoint, about 250 km from Artyom-Primorsky 1 station, as quoted by TASS.

Earlier, leader Kim arrived in Primorye early on Saturday. He visited Knevich airport where he met Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. They toured the modern operational tactical aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces.

While in Vladivostok, Kim also inspected the frigate Marshal Shaposhnikov and its weapons such as the Uran anti-ship missile system and the Kalibr multiperan cruise missile system, as well as the 100mm A-190 automatic artillery system.

Regarding the visit, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Moscow wanted to develop equal and fair cooperation with North Korea, despite sanctions imposed on Pyongyang by the UN Security Council.

"We have not announced sanctions against North Korea, the Security Council has done so. So please to the Security Council, and we will develop equal and fair cooperation with the DPRK," Foreign Minister Lavrov said referring to the official name of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

Previously, the Kremlin said it was complying with UN sanctions, but had the right to develop neighboring relations, including those related to sensitive topics.

Separately, the United States and its allies fear of increasing relations between the two countries, amid the Ukrainian invasion and the development of Pyongyang's missile and nuclear programs.

Seoul and Washington warned that military cooperation between North Korea and Russia would violate UN sanctions, with the Allies ensuring there would be consequences to be paid.