Clips of the introductory encounter were quickly tweeted around the world, many with comments about the leader's audible breathlessness. South Korea's media, meanwhile, speculated that it could be a sign of Kim's poor health. He is, after all, overweight and a notoriously heavy smoker.
But when the two delivered their opening comments to start the actual talks, Kim seemed to have gotten over whatever the problem was.
Experts have noted that when Kim met President Donald Trump for the first time, they nearly lunged at each other with hands outstretched for a handshake.
They vied several times to lead the other with an alpha male hand on the back. Gazes were carefully not averted, lest that appear to suggest submission.
The impression from their second encounter, in Hanoi two months ago, was more measured. The two tended to mirror each other more closely, which is a sign of respect and co-operation rather than aggression.
Kim's first greeting with Putin was more like his performance in Hanoi, though a bit stiffer. It was in some ways similar to an old style Soviet meeting, with a bit of a formal chill to it.
He and Putin approached each other with fixed smiles and held an extended handshake for the cameras. It's often an awkward moment, even for the most experienced politicians. But they appeared relaxed — or perhaps just well-poised — as they also did during the initial part of the talks, which were broadcast live.
Unlike the much taller Trump, Putin is roughly the same height as Kim, which probably helped.
Yesterday Kim paid his respects at a ceremony honouring the war dead before wrapping up his visit, leaving for Pyongyang by his private train about four-and-a-half hours earlier than planned after his delegation requested to cut his visit short, according to Russian news agencies.
Earlier in the day, Kim visited a park near the headquarters of the Russian navy's Pacific Fleet for the wreath-laying ceremony that was held two hours later than expected.
Wearing a black suit and a fedora, he followed two goose-stepping Russian soldiers carrying a plate of red flowers with his name spelled out in Korean in gold colours on a red ribbon. Kim then laid flowers, took off his hat and bowed as a Russian military band played music, including North Korea's national anthem.
Kim also sat down for lunch with the local governor and business people on the outskirts of town before going to the main railway station but did not show up at an aquarium and a ballet performance. Both venues had been closed down for security checks.
The health of the North Korean leader has been the topic of speculation before. During his first summit with South Korean President Moon Jae In, last April, he appeared to be out of breath as he signed a guestbook after a short walk. He was also shown on TV red-faced at a banquet, likely from the ample beverages available.
But Kim has managed to make it through nearly a dozen summits now. His meetings with Moon, in particular, were well received in the South and seen to reveal a genuine warmth and desire for better relations.
It remains to be seen how effective he will be in getting out from under the sanctions that have been imposed on his country for its nuclear weapons programmes. But if nothing else, he has demonstrated a surprising air of confidence alongside some of the biggest players on the world stage.
Vladivostok motorists breathed a sigh of relief at Kim's departure as traffic in the city of half a million had been severely disrupted since Kim's arrival on Wednesday. Just like two days earlier, traffic was completely blocked in all of the city centre during the sendoff ceremony for Kim.
- AP
