North Korean leader Kim Jong Un appears to have departed on a special train bound for Russia and a summit with President Vladimir Putin, South Korean media reported on Monday, citing unnamed senior government sources.
Russia’s Interfax news agency reported earlier Monday that Kim, who rarely travels abroad, is expected to visit the Russian Far East “in the coming days.”
The Kremlin said on Saturday Putin would be in the far eastern city of Vladivostok to attend the Eastern Economic Forum, which opens on Sunday, but said it had “nothing to say” about a possible visit by Kim.
North Korea has been one of the few countries to openly support Russia since its invasion of Ukraine last year, and Putin pledged last week to “develop bilateral relations in all aspects in a planned manner with unification efforts.”
Kim’s last trip abroad in 2019 was also to Vladivostok for his first summit with Putin after North Korea’s denuclearization talks with former US President Donald Trump collapsed.
Kim Jong Un and Putin shake hands during their meeting in Vladivostok, Russia, on April 25, 2019. AP
South Korea’s Chosun Ilbo newspaper said Kim left Pyongyang late Sunday and will meet Putin as early as Tuesday.
Broadcaster YTN reported the special train would take Kim to North Korea’s northeastern border with Russia and that the summit could be on Tuesday, although it initially reported it would be held on Wednesday.
Both reports cited unnamed senior South Korean government sources.
Kim Jong Un waves from his train as he leaves the Khasan train station in Russia’s Primorye region, on April 24, 2019. AP
Japanese media reported security was being stepped up and renovation work was underway at the main train station in the Russian border town of Khasan, where Kim is expected to enter Russia.
Kim does not travel abroad often and when she does, it is often shrouded in secrecy and security. North Korean state media has made no mention of Kim’s plans to visit Russia.
South Korea’s foreign ministry said it was monitoring developments but declined to confirm any details. Officials at South Korea’s Unification Ministry said they had no information to provide, while officials at the National Intelligence Service could not be reached.
A train carrying Kim Jong Un arrives for a planned meeting with President Vladimir Putin in Vladivostok, Russia, on April 24, 2019.AP
The summit between Kim and Putin is likely to focus on military cooperation and possibly an agreement to supply weapons, US and South Korean officials and analysts said.
The United States said it would be a “huge mistake” for North Korea to supply Russia with weapons for use in Ukraine and warned Pyongyang would “pay the price”.
The United States says talks for North Korea to supply more weapons to Russia are actively underway despite repeated denials by Pyongyang and Moscow.
The United States and South Korea have expressed concern over the possibility of greater military cooperation between the North and Russia and a potential arms deal.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
