Kathrine Frich
The standoff quickly turned physical, with both sides refusing to back down.
The standoff quickly turned physical, with both sides refusing to back down.
Bodyguards clash in Beijing
Putin and Kim’s bodyguards shocked onlookers when they got into a shoving match during the “axis of evil” summit in Beijing.
The fight broke out over something as trivial as air conditioning, showing tension even within the tightly controlled meeting.
Row over room temperature
The quarrel began when a North Korean guard rushed to change the air conditioning to 23 degrees.
A Russian bodyguard immediately stepped in, demanding it stay at 20 degrees for Putin.
The standoff quickly turned physical, with both sides refusing to back down.
Finger wrestling at the control panel
Witnesses reported that the two men ended up in a bizarre “finger wrestling match” over the AC controls.
The Russian bodyguard clawed away his counterpart’s hand and stood guard over the panel, refusing to let anyone near it.
North Korean backs down
Despite the heated struggle, the North Korean guard eventually gave in and walked away looking uncomfortable.
Footage showed the Russian continuing to guard the panel like a watchdog, while Kim’s aide looked defeated.
Putin and Kim remain cordial
In contrast to their guards, Putin and Kim appeared warm and friendly during the summit.
They shook hands several times and engaged in extended talks, projecting unity despite the petty clash among their teams.
Kim’s DNA paranoia
After the bilateral meeting, Kim’s security team rushed to wipe down every surface the dictator touched.
They cleaned his chair, the table, and even took away the glass he drank from. Analysts said it showed Kim’s extreme paranoia about DNA traces.
Growing ties despite tensions
The summit underscored how close Russia and North Korea have grown.
Kim has been one of Putin’s most loyal allies during the Ukraine war, sending thousands of soldiers to fight in Russia’s ranks.
More reinforcements could follow in the coming months.
Xi hosts the dictators
Both leaders attended China’s huge military parade with Xi Jinping.
The event drew 50,000 spectators and 26 foreign leaders, with advanced weapons such as hypersonic missiles and robot dogs on display.
Xi walked in front, flanked by Putin and Kim.
