Pyongyang, June 19 (KCNA) -- At a crucial time when the friendly relations between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the Russian Federation have emerged as a strong strategic fortress and an engine for defending international justice, peace and security and accelerating the building of a new multi-polar world, another meeting of the top leaders of the two countries took place in Pyongyang, clearly demonstrating once again the invincibility and durability of the DPRK-Russia friendship and unity.

Pyongyang International Airport was decked in a festive attire to warmly greet as the highest honored guest of the state President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin of the Russian Federation who would pay a state visit to the DPRK at the invitation of Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the DPRK.

The national flags of the DPRK and the Russian Federation were fluttering at the flagstaffs.

Seen at the airport were Alexandr Matsegora, Russian ambassador to the DPRK, and his embassy staff members.

The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un came to the airport to greet Comrade Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin.

The presidential plane of the Russian Federation landed on Pyongyang International Airport.

There was an emotional meeting between Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin.

Kim Jong Un shook hands with Putin and embraced him warmly, expressing his joy and gladness of meeting him again in Pyongyang over 270 days after the meeting at the Vostochny Spaceport in September 2023.

Being pleased that his Pyongyang visit was realized, Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin expressed deep thanks to Kim Jong Un for coming to the airport to greet him warmly.

Putin was presented with a bouquet by a woman worker.

Among his entourage were Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Mantrov, Deputy Prime Minister Alexandr Nobak, Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration and President's Press Secretary Dmitri Peskov, Aide to the President of Russia for Foreign Policy Yuri Ushakov, Minister of Defense Andrei Beloussov, Minister of Natural Resources and Ecology and Chairman of the Russian Side of the Russia-DPRK Inter-Governmental Committee for Cooperation in Trade, Economy, Science and Technology Alexandr Kozlov, Minister of Health Mikhail Murashuko and Minister of Transport Roman Starovoyt.

Kim Jong Un took Putin's private car to guide him to his lodging quarters.

Passing through the streets of Pyongyang at night, decorated with bright illuminations, the top leaders exchanged the inmost thoughts that had so far been confined to them and their will to more surely develop the DPRK-Russia relations in conformity with the common desire and intentions of the peoples of the two countries with their meeting as a momentum.

They arrived at the Kumsusan State Guesthouse.

Kim Jong Un personally guided Putin, having a friendly chat with him.

Putin's visit to the DPRK at a remarkable time, when the traditional relations of friendship and cooperation between the DPRK and Russia have surely entered the course of new comprehensive development, is of great importance in reliably promoting the strategic and future-oriented development of the bilateral relations consolidated in the trials of history generation after generation and from one century to the next and powerfully propelling the cause of building powerful countries, a desire common to the peoples of the two countries. -0-