After his talks with Vladimir Putin in Beijing, Kim Jong Un’s aides rushed to scrub every trace of his presence, wiping chairs, polishing tables, and even removing his drinking glass. Russian journalist Alexander Yunashev reported that staff “carefully destroyed all traces” of the North Korean leader. Analysts believe the unusual cleanup reflects fears of surveillance or DNA theft. Putin himself is known for similar precautions, collecting his own waste on foreign trips. Alongside this display, Kim pledged “fraternal obligation” to Moscow, reinforcing the 2024 defense pact that now binds Russia and North Korea in defiance of Western sanctions.
