The bodyguards of Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un engaged in a tense interaction over an unusual factor.
But as the two allies engaged in pleasantries during their meetings, their personal bodyguards were doing the exact opposite (Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
There appears to be trouble in paradise between new authoritarian besties, Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un, as reports reveal their bodyguards nearly fought to control the air conditioner during their recent meeting.
The two strongmen recently met in China, embracing in a warm hug and engaging in friendly chatter, which enraged President Donald Trump, who claimed the two were conspiring against the US.
But as the two allies engaged in pleasantries during their meetings, their personal bodyguards were doing the exact opposite.
(Image: KCNA VIA KNS/AFP via Getty Image)
According to local reports, during the meeting, a North Korean official with a special mission suddenly grabbed the remote to the room’s air conditioning and attempted to change the atmosphere unilaterally, raising the temperature to 23 degrees Celsius.
That is when one of Putin’s bodyguards rushed over and insisted on keeping the AC at 20 degrees Celsius.
According to The Chosun Daily, “the North Korean official, despite understanding his Russian colleague’s words in Russian, refused to back down on adjusting the temperature,” adding, “the two struggled to pry each other’s fingers off the control panel, and one eventually stepped back— likely leaving the North Korean official somewhat uncomfortable.”
Following the silent tug-of-war over the buttons, the Russian officer wrestled the remote away by force, winning the battle over the temperature.
A video released by Kommersant on its Telegram channel showed the North Korean bodyguard leaving the scene first, as the Russian official vehemently guarded the air conditioning control panel and adjusted the temperature to Putin’s desires.
The tense encounter took place before Kim and Putin arrived for their meetup, which lasted over one and a half hours.
The two leaders met during a joint trip to China on Wednesday, where Putin thanked Kim for providing the Kremlin with artillery, missiles, and thousands of soldiers. Pictures of them embracing and having a friendly chat raised eyebrows.
Following the warm reception, Kim, who has remained one of Russia’s most loyal allies, promised to do “everything possible to assist” their effort, calling it his “brotherly duty” to back Moscow.
“I would like to note that your warriors fought bravely and displayed heroism,” Putin announced. “We will never forget the sacrifices made by your armed forces and the families of your servicemen.”
The meeting represented the first time Kim, who rarely travels outside his country’s boundaries, took part in a major international multilateral conference. The meeting also follows Putin’s seemingly friendly exchanges with two other controversial figures— Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping. (The Mirror)