SEOUL, March 26 (Reuters) – North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ‌welcomed Belarusian President Alexander ‌Lukashenko to Pyongyang on Wednesday, North ​Korean state media KCNA said on Thursday, touting ties between the two close allies of ‌Russia’s Vladimir ⁠Putin.

When Lukashenko visited Pyongyang’s Kumsusan mausoleum to pay ⁠respects to former North Korean leaders, he laid a ​bouquet sent by ​Putin ​in addition to ‌a flower basket under his own name, KCNA said.

Lukashenko and his delegation were welcomed by Kim with a 21-gun salute, ‌Pyongyang citizens and ​school children waving ​the flags ​of both countries, ‌and a march-past of ​the North ​Korean army’s honor guard, KCNA said.

KCNA did not yet ​describe ‌any talks between the leaders.

(Reporting ​by Joyce Lee; Editing ​by Chris Reese)