In a bizarre turn of events, a video has surfaced showing North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s staff performing a meticulous cleaning ritual following his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Beijing. The footage, shared on Telegram, shows aides scrubbing down every surface Kim touched, from polishing the backrest of his chair to wiping the armrests and even removing his drinking glass on a tray.
Russian journalist Alexander Yunashev, who reported on the footage, noted that the staff took great care to remove all traces of the North Korean leader’s presence. The chair’s upholstery was wiped down, and the glass Kim drank from was discreetly taken away. Despite the unusual cleaning procedure, both Kim and Putin reportedly left the meeting “very satisfied” and later shared tea together.
The reason behind this highly detailed cleaning process remains unclear. Some analysts speculate that it may be due to concerns about Russian security services or fears of surveillance from China. However, this level of caution is not unique to Kim Jong Un. Russian President Vladimir Putin has reportedly gone to extreme lengths to protect his biological footprint, with bodyguards collecting his urine and feces during foreign trips, a practice that has reportedly been in place since 2017.
During the Beijing talks, Kim reaffirmed his full support for Russia, saying, “If there is anything I can or must do for you and the Russian people, I consider it my duty as a fraternal obligation.” Putin, in return, expressed gratitude for North Korea’s assistance in the conflict in Ukraine, where around 13,000 North Korean soldiers have been deployed, though nearly 2,000 are believed to have been killed.
Kim’s visit to China was his first since the pandemic, providing an opportunity not just to meet with Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, but also to connect with more than two dozen world leaders gathered to mark Japan’s surrender in World War II. The growing alliance between Moscow and Pyongyang, solidified by a mutual defense pact in 2024, signifies a deepening relationship as the two countries unite against Western sanctions.
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