In a show of a growing relationship, Russian President Vladimir Putin visited North Korea for the first time in nearly 25 years, and was welcomed with a lavish ceremony in Pyongyang. The ceremony included balloons, posters, and a gala concert. During his visit, Putin spent about two hours in a one-on-one interaction with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. And the two leaders exchanged luxurious gifts. Here are some of the notable gifts that were swapped: Russian-made Limousine Putin gifted Kim a Russian-built Aurus Limousine for the second time, as reported by CBS. The leaders were seen taking turns driving each other around in the Aurus, although it was unclear if it was the newly-gifted car, as per BBC. Kim, known to be a car enthusiast, has a collection of luxury foreign vehicles. Putin, who frequently uses an Aurus, had previously shown off the vehicle to Kim during their 2023 meeting. Several months later, Kim had received his first Aurus from Russia. Tea set and naval officer's dirk According to Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov, Putin also gave Kim a "very beautiful" tea set and a naval officer's dirk, a type of small dagger. Ushakov mentioned that Putin received "very good presents" from Kim in return. Pungsan dogs Kim gifted Putin a pair of Pungsan dogs, a hunting breed native to northern North Korea. The leaders were seen admiring the dogs, tied to a rose-covered fence, in a segment aired on state-controlled Korean Central Television. Former South Korean President Moon Jae-in had also received a pair of white Pungsan dogs from Kim in 2018 during a period of improved inter-Korean relations. Artwork Among the gifts from Kim to Putin were artworks, including busts depicting the Russian leader, as reported by BBC. During their interactions, Kim and Putin also bonded over horses. Kim, known for his equestrian skills, fed carrots to a horse while Putin patted it on the head. Kim remarked that the relations between the two countries were "entering a period of new flowering", describing Russia as North Korea's "most honest friend." (With inputs from Reuters, BBC, and CBS)
