THE North Korean leader Kim Jong Un publicly drove a car given to him by President Vladimir Putin in a “clear proof” of the strengthening of friendship between the two countries, state media reported today.

THE Pyongyang and the Moscow they have developed closer ties since Kim met Putin in Russia in September and pledged to boost military cooperation. The two leaders deny Western accusations that North Korea is supplying Russia with shells and missiles used in Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.

The fact that Kim drove the Russian Aurus limousine yesterday is “a clear proof of the North Korea-Russia friendship, which is developing comprehensively to a new scale,” the leader’s sister Kim Yo Jong said, according to state news agency KCNA. .

Kim Jong Un inspected air force drills yesterday and called for “realistic” preparation for battle, KCNA reported, after annual joint South Korean and US high schools concluded this week.

“Only realistic high schools that are directly linked to military operations can prepare soldiers as real combat warriors,” Kim said, according to KCNA.

Kim also attended the opening of a greenhouse plant yesterday, according to KCNA. Based on the photos released, the military high schools and inauguration ceremony were also attended by Kim’s daughter Ju Ae.