Kim Jong Un's team scrubs down every surface he touched to kill DNA traces of him after he met Putin in Beijing
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Take your experience further with Premium access. Thought-provoking Opinions, Expert Analysis, In-depth Insights and other Member Only BenefitsNorth Korean leader Kim Jong Un's recent meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Beijing ended with an unusual scene.
His aides swiftly wiping down every surface he had touched.
Footage on social media shows Kim’s staff meticulously cleaning his chair’s backrest, armrests, side table, and removing his drinking glass on a tray. Russian journalist Alexander Yunashev noted, “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.”
He added that despite the hyper-vigilant cleanup, the meeting ended positively, with both leaders reportedly “very satisfied” and sharing tea afterward.
While the motive behind such forensic-level sanitation is unclear, analysts suggest it may reflect Kim’s fears of spying, either from Russia’s security services or China’s advanced surveillance. It may also reflect broader concerns about preserving his biological footprint.
Such precautions aren't unique to Kim. Putin himself reportedly follows strict biosecurity measures, including having bodyguards collect and transport his urine and feces during foreign trips — a practice dating back to at least 2017.
This protocol was reportedly observed even during Putin’s meeting with Donald Trump in Alaska.
During the summit, Kim expressed strong support for Moscow, declaring: “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 turn, referred to Kim as “Dear Chairman of State Affairs.”
Putin also thanked North Korea for sending troops to support Russia in Ukraine. Reports indicate that of the 13,000 North Korean soldiers deployed, around 2,000 have already been killed.
Kim’s Beijing visit was his first trip to China since the Covid-19 pandemic. Beyond Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, he engaged with over two dozen world leaders attending a ceremony marking Japan’s World War II surrender.
Now tied by a 2024 mutual defense pact, Russia and North Korea appear more aligned than ever — united by sanctions and a shared stance against the West.