Kim Jong-un’s aides are seen rushing over to wipe away all traces of his DNA in the footage taken after his bizarre meeting with Vladimir Putin in China
Mysterious footage has captured the moment paranoid aides of Kim Jong-un are seen wiping all traces of his DNA after meeting Vladimir Putin in Beijing.
In the clip, a member of his security staff is seen rushing to decontaminate the chair and nearby table used by the North Korean dictator, before a female operative takes away the glass he sipped water from during his bilateral talks with Putin. Observers said the move suggests Pyongyang does not trust Putin’s secret services with his DNA, as it might unlock his medical secrets. Others said his concern was with the Chinese, who were hosting the huge military parade both leaders were attending.
Pro-Kremlin state media outlet Yunashev, which was filming the talks between the two despots, reported: “After the negotiations, the staff accompanying the head of the DPRK carefully destroyed all traces of Kim’s presence.”
“They took away the glass from which he drank, wiped the upholstery of the chair and those parts of the furniture that the Korean leader touched.”
The clean-up took place after the official part of the meeting ended, and the channel said Putin and Kim left the office “very satisfied“ before they went “to drink tea in a more relaxed atmosphere.”
They spoke in the Chinese government guest house where Putin is staying on his four-day trip. During the conversation in front of the cameras, Kim vowed to send more North Korean troops to fight for Putin against Ukraine, while the Russian president told Kim: “Your warriors fought bravely and heroically.”
He said: “Please convey the warmest words of gratitude to the entire people of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.” It is now believed some 2,000 out of 13,000 soldiers sent by North Korea have been killed in the conflict – but on Wednesday, Kim stated it was his nation’s “fraternal duty” to support Russia.
Kim Jong-un also brought his young daughter on the diplomatic trip to China – fuelling speculation that she is being groomed as his likely successor.
The girl is named Kim Ju-ae, and is believed to be 12 or 13 years old, though little else is known about her.
Since 2022, Kim Jong Un has showcased her at a growing number of major public events tied to his nuclear-armed military, leading to suggestions that she is being primed as the country’s next leader.
While North Korean state media have described Mr Kim’s daughter as “beloved” and “respected”, they have never called her by name.
But the first clue as to her name came from former NBA champion Dennis Rodman, who recalled holding Kim Jong-un’s baby daughter during a trip to Pyongyang in 2013.