Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un’s “patting and hugging” as well as walking almost hand in hand was a signal of “unity” to the world, says a body language expert.
The Russian president and the North Korean leader Kim Jong Un signed a partnership deal during a summit in Pyongyang, in a bid to expand their economic and military cooperation and cement a united front against Washington.
Putin’s first visit to North Korea in 24 years comes amid growing concerns over an arms arrangement in which the country provides Moscow with badly needed munitions for its war in Ukraine in exchange for economic assistance and technology transfers that could enhance the threat posed by Kim’s nuclear weapons and missile program.
As the West watches on with alarm, body language expert Judi James believes that the behaviour of the two leaders in front of the cameras intended to show unity.
The two leaders were pictured walking closely together (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)“Proximity and touch seemed to be key signals in terms of promoting the idea of their unity,” she told The Mirror. “As well as the patting, steering and partial hugs they walked closely side by side with their hands hanging close enough to almost be touching. Some of their keynote handshakes have also involved the kind of head closeness and direct, shared eye contact that seems designed to signal ‘unity’ to the world.”
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Putin was met upon his nighttime arrival by Kim, who shook his hands, hugged him twice and rode with him from the airport in a limousine in a huge motorcade that rolled through the capital’s brightly illuminated streets, where buildings were decorated with giant Russian flags and portraits of Putin.
Ms James said it was a “hugely tactile” display that was not normal for Putin or Kim. She continued: “Despite a lack of body language synchronicity that resulted in some extended and almost coy dithering as they each ushered the other into the car first, or in the way that Putin tried to repeat but failed to produce the kind of partial hug and cheek kiss that Jong-un instigated on him after their initial handshake, this is a hugely tactile display from the two world leaders.
Putin and Kim appeared full of smiles during the trip (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)"The patting and hugging is beyond the range of their cultural norms, too, with Jong-un standing on a red carpet with a huge bouquet of red flowers ready as Putin bounced down the steps of his plane. Huge portraits of the two men hung over the dais they stood on, making this look like a meeting of minds and status. Putin’s cheeks were rounded in a smile of delight as they both walked along another huge red carpet, soaking up the cheers from Jong-un’s traditionally rapturous audiences."
After spending the rest of the night at a state guest house, Putin attended a lavish welcoming ceremony at the city’s main square, where he and Kim saluted an honour guard and walked across a red carpet. Kim then introduced key members of his leadership including Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui; top aide and ruling party secretary Jo Yong Won; and the leader’s powerful sister, Kim Yo Jong.
Putin and Kim shook hands on a new deal (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)Putin signed a new partnership deal with Kim Jong-un as both face escalating standoffs with the west. It was not clear what kind of assistance the deal, described as a "comprehensive strategic partnership," would call for but it is a bid to expand their economic and military cooperation and cement a united front against the US.
Speaking after a signing ceremony, Putin said that security and international issues took up a large part of the talks with Kim, according to Russian state media. He was also quoted to say that Russia would not rule out developing military-technical cooperation with North Korea under the deal.
Kim was quoted as saying that the agreement was of a peaceful and defensive nature. "I have no doubt it will become a driving force accelerating the creation of a new multipolar world ," he was quoted to say. Russia and North Korea also signed agreements on cooperation in the fields of healthcare, medical education, and science, Russian state media reported, citing the Kremlin's website.
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