North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is set to visit Russia “in the coming days” after receiving an invitation from Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Kremlin confirmed on Monday.
There had been speculation about Kim’s travel plans, as he rarely leaves his country and has not traveled since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. The purpose of the visit is believed to be discussions on potential arms deals.
“At the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong Un, Chairman of State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, will pay an official visit to the Russian Federation in the coming days,” stated the Kremlin.
South Korean and Russian media had earlier reported that Kim had likely departed for the Russian Pacific port of Vladivostok, where he is expected to meet Putin.
“[South Korea’s] intelligence authorities believe the train presumed to be carrying Kim Jong Un is moving to Vladivostok,” a South Korean government official told the Yonhap news agency.
Russian officials anticipate Kim’s arrival in Vladivostok “in the near future,” as reported by Russia’s news agency Interfax citing two anonymous government sources. “We’ve been preparing for Kim Jong Un’s visit for a while,” one of the sources told Interfax.
The United States accused Moscow last month of engaging in “active” talks to purchase artillery shells and other munitions from Pyongyang for its ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
The New York Times previously reported that Kim’s discussions with Putin could occur at Russia’s Eastern Economic Forum, which began over the weekend and is scheduled to conclude on Wednesday. Putin is expected to participate in the annual forum on Tuesday.
Additionally, Kim plans to visit the Russian Navy’s Pacific Fleet, according to anonymous American and allied officials cited by NYT.
Reuters correspondents noted increased police presence in Vladivostok, but observed no North Korean flags as is customary for high-level foreign visitors.
In July, Russia’s Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu visited North Korea, where he attended an arms exhibit featuring Pyongyang’s banned ballistic missiles.
Russia has been a historical ally of Pyongyang for many decades, and their ties go back to the founding of North Korea 75 years ago.
Meanwhile, Kim has consistently shown support for Moscow’s 18-month invasion of Ukraine.
In July 2023, Putin praised Pyongyang’s “firm support for special military operations against Ukraine.”
AFP contributed reporting.
