On Tuesday, Kim Jong Un, the leader of North Korea arrived in Russia, Japanese media reported, for what the Kremlin said would be a comprehensive meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin amid forewarnings from the United States they should not agree on a weapons agreement.
On Sunday, Kim left Pyongyang for Russia on his train, the North Korean state media reported on Tuesday, along with top arms industry and military officials and the foreign minister.
On Tuesday, Japan’s Kyodo news agency reported, quoting an anonymous Russian official source, that a train carrying Kim had reached Khasan station, the major rail gateway to Russia’s Far East from North Korea.
South Korea’s Defense Ministry spokesman said it considers Kim entered Russia early on Tuesday.
Kim does not tour abroad often, making only seven trips away from his land and twice footing across the inter-Korean border in his 12 years in control. Four of those trips were to the North’s main political partner, China.
Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesman said that there will be negotiations between two representatives, and after that, if required, the leaders will continue their communication in a one-on-one format.
US officials, who first said the visit was coming, said that arms discussions between Russia and North Korea were vigorously increasing and that Kim and Putin are possibly to concern about supplying Russia with weapons for the battle in Ukraine.
Putin reached in Vladivostok on Monday, Russia’s TASS news agency said. He is scheduled to attend the plenary session of the Eastern Economic Forum, which runs through Wednesday.
According to Russian news agencies, Peskov said that Putin discussion with Kim would come after the forum and that no news conference by the leaders is scheduled.
There has been no assurance of the place of the discussion or whether Kim will attend the economic forum.
