North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited Russia in September on his first overseas trip since 2019. The visit was seen as Russia's attempt to secure North Korean support for Moscow's war in Ukraine. For North Korea, Russia's desperation may be a chance to get help upgrading its aging air force. Korean People's Army Air and Anti-Air ForceSouth Korean troops guard a MiG-19 that a North Korean pilot used to defect in May 1996. KCNA via REUTERSGiven the North Korean air force's needs, it's easy to see Kim's visit as something of a prospective shopping trip.

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Persons: Kim Jong Un, —, Vladimir Putin, Sergei Shoigu, Kim, Putin, CHOO YOUN, Antonov, Mikhail Japaridze, Kim's, Kim strode, Shoigu, Sergey Kobylash, Denis Manturov, Kim Jong Organizations: North, Service, Russian Defense, Vostochny, Amur Aircraft, Knevichi, Korean People's Army Air, Air Force South, MiG, Getty, Air Force, North Korean, Defense Intelligence Agency, DIA, KCNA, REUTERS, Kremlin Locations: Russia, Ukraine, North Korea, Korean, Russian, Moscow, Pyongyang, KONG, AFP, Soviet Union, China, Komsomolsk, Vladivostok, Japan, Korea