Intrigues, Security Consciousness Dodge China, Allies Summit
The recent summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin has captured global attention. An unusual occurrence during the meeting left observers perplexed: North Korean staff members meticulously sanitized every surface Kim touched, even removing his drinking glass, as if endeavoring to eliminate all traces of his DNA.
This encounter followed a grand military parade in Beijing, where Kim, Putin, and Chinese President Xi Jinping stood united in a rare display of solidarity. The peculiar cleaning ritual piqued curiosity and prompted inquiries into the extent of Kim’s security protocols and the paranoia surrounding the protection of world leaders’ DNA.
In a Telegram video, two staffers are seen anxiously polishing the back of the chair Kim occupied and retrieving his drinking glass on a tray. One individual ensures the wooden arms of the chair and the adjacent table are thoroughly cleansed.
“Following the negotiations, the entourage accompanying the head of the DPRK meticulously eradicated all evidence of Kim’s presence,” Russian journalist Alexander Yunashev reported on his Telegram channel, Yunashev Live. “They removed the glass from which he drank, wiped the upholstery of the chair, and cleaned the areas of furniture touched by the Korean leader.” He further noted, “The official segment of the meeting concluded, and Putin and Kim departed the office in high spirits, proceeding to enjoy tea in a more informal setting,” as cited in a report by the Daily Mail.
Kim pledged his unwavering support to Moscow during their discussions in Beijing, with Putin expressing gratitude to Pyongyang for dispatching thousands of troops to aid Russia in its conflict in Ukraine.
According to South Korea, approximately 15,000 North Korean soldiers have been deployed to the front lines, with casualties ranging between 600 and 2,000. Putin lauded them as “brave and heroic,” vowing never to forget the contributions of Pyongyang’s fighters, as reported by the Daily Mail.
The meeting also underscored the 2024 mutual defense treaty between North Korea and Russia. Both nations remain subject to stringent international sanctions: Russia for its military actions in Ukraine and North Korea for its nuclear weapons program, as detailed in a report by the Daily Mail.
