"At this moment, when the whole world has turned its gaze to Pyongyang, which is hosting a Russian mission of friendship, I stand here alongside my Russian comrades, the most honest friends and allies, in this solemn hall," Kim said in a press statement.
He said that the conclusion of a new and "most powerful treaty" between Russia and North Korea would be impossible without the "outstanding foresight" and determination of President Putin, "the dearest friend of the Korean people."
Putin, Kim, and members of the Russian and North Korean delegations held talks that lasted for over 1.5 hours. The meeting was held behind closed doors and continued with a tete-a-tete between the two leaders. Russia and North Korea signed the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement, which aims to foster bilateral cooperation and military ties, Kim said.
Putin arrived in Pyongyang late on June 18. The Russian delegation includes Defense Minister Andrei Belousov, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak, and Roscosmos head Yuri Borisov, among others.