Putin accepts Kim's invitation to North Korea

Russian President Vladimir Putin, center left, speaks to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, center right, during a state reception dinner held after Wednesday's summit at Vostochny Cosmodrome. [KOREAN CENTRAL NEWS AGENCY]

 
Russian President Vladimir Putin has accepted an invitation from North Korean leader Kim Jong-un during a reception held on Wednesday.  
 
According to the North Korean state media, the Korean Central News Agency, on Thursday, during a state dinner, Kim Jong-un asked Putin to visit Pyongyang at a "convenient time," and Putin accepted the invitation with "pleasure."
 
The state media said that Putin "reaffirmed his will to invariably carry forward the history and tradition" between the two countries.
 
The reception followed a summit between Kim and Putin, marking the first such meeting in four years at the Vostochny Cosmodrome, Russia's leading spaceport.
 
During their talks, Putin said he intends to assist North Korea's satellite program.
 
North Korea failed to launch its reconnaissance satellites twice, once on May 21 and Aug. 24.
 
 
North Korea, after admitting its failure in August, said it will make another satellite launch attempt in October.

BY LEE HO-JEONG [lee.hojeong@joongang.co.kr]