
Netizens go through everything on social media with a fine tooth comb, and this time, none other than Russian President Vladimir Putin caught their attention. Videos from Putin's first visit to North Korea in 24 years have gone viral on social media, allegedly showing the leader looking bored at a special concert performance in Pyongyang in his honour.
Aside from Russian and North Korean delegations, Putin and Kim Jong Un, the leader of North Korea, attended the concert at the Pyongyang Sports Hall.
"We welcome the President of the Russian Federation, Comrade Vladimir Putin!" a banner extended across the hall read in Korean and Russian.
Following Putin's full-scale invasion of the neighbouring country, Ukraine in February 2022, Pyongyang and Moscow have strengthened their diplomatic ties. On Wednesday, the two presidents inked a fresh strategic alliance deal that mandates that, in the event of a conflict, both countries will employ all available means to provide prompt military support.
Both nations' national anthems were played, and artists treated Putin to a medley of Russian hits, such as "The Sacred War," "Where Does the Motherland Begin," "We Need One Victory," and "Katyusha."
A video of Putin at the event, which has been viewed over 200,000 times, led social media users to speculate that he did not like the concert.
"Putin: 'How did I get myself into this?!'" one X user commented, sharing a screen grab of the Russian leader.
"Putin looks bored," wrote another.
"The body language doesn't show excitement or happiness in either leader," commented a third.
Russia's state-run news agency Tass quoted Kim on Wednesday, stating that his country "expresses full support and solidarity to the Russian government, army and people in carrying out a special military operation in Ukraine to protect sovereignty, security interests, as well as territorial integrity."
"The comprehensive partnership agreement signed today provides, among other things, for mutual assistance in the event of aggression against one of the parties to this agreement," Putin was quoted as saying by Tass.
Kim referred to the deal as the "strongest ever treaty" that Moscow and Pyongyang had inked. Russian media agencies said that Putin extended an invitation to Kim to visit the Russian capital at a later date.
(With inputs from agencies)