Russian President Vladimir Putin has donated more than seventy animals from the Moscow Zoo to North Korea. These include a lion, brown bears, yaks and several species of birds. It is the fourth time this year that the two countries have exchanged animals.
The animals are “a gift from Russian President Vladimir Putin to the Korean people,” the government in Moscow said, publishing a video of the zoo animals’ journey. The transport was supervised by Russian Minister of Natural Resources Alexander Kozlov.
“Symbols of support, kindness and care”
The video shows, among other things, how an African lion is transported in a coffin by plane. “Animals have historically played an important role in international relations and serve as symbols of support, kindness and care,” he said.
North Korea has already received eagles, pythons and parrots
The Moscow Zoo had already given away more than 40 animals in April: eagles, pythons, parrots and flying foxes were flown to North Korea. In August, Putin sent 24 Orlov trotters to his ally, dictator Kim Jong-un. The North Korean dictator had a special fondness for this horse breed because of its characteristic white coat. At the time, it was suspected that the horses may have served as partial payment for North Korean artillery shells delivered to Russia.
Kim also gave Putin an animal gift in June: the despot gave him a pair of Pungsan hunting dogs. The quadrupeds are a very typical breed of the isolated country.
Major concerns about military cooperation
The generous gift could be a gesture of thanks to Kim for supplying him with thousands of North Korean soldiers for his war of aggression in Ukraine. The deepening relationship and military cooperation between the two states is worrying many observers in the West.
Source: Krone
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