Kim Jong Un to visit Russia at Putin's invitation 'in coming days', Kremlin confirms

A North Korean train presumed to becarrying North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has departed for Russia for an expected meeting with RussianPresident Vladimir Putin, South Korean media reported on September 11.

Hours later, the Kremlin confirmed that Kim will visit Russia "in the coming days" after receiving an invite from President Vladimir Putin himself.

"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," the Kremlin said.

South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported earlier that Kim's train appeared to have already left for Russia, citing an unidentified official.

Two major South Korean publications, namely Chosun Ilbo newspaper and the Yonhap news agency, reported that the train left the North Korean capital of Pyongyang on Sunday evening.

A meeting between Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin is possible as early as Tuesday, the reports added.

Kim Jong Un-Vladimir Putin meet: What do we know so far?

Last week, US officials released intelligence indicating that North Korea and Russia were coordinating a leader-level meeting within this month. The potential meeting was purportedly aimed atstrengthening their cooperation amid rising tensions with the United States.

Where will the potential meeting be conducted?

A potential meeting location is Vladivostok in eastern Russia, where Putin is presently attending an international forum that runs until Wednesday, as reported by Russia's TASS news agency.

Vladivostok was also the site of Putin's initial meeting with Kim in 2019.

Russia-North Korea ties: What do they want from each other?

US officials suggest that Putin may be seeking additional supplies of North Korean artillery and ammunition to replenish diminishing reserves amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.

This could increase pressure on the US and its allies to engage in negotiations, given concerns about an extended conflict despite significant arms shipments to Ukraine over the past 17 months.

In exchange, Kim may be seeking much-needed energy and food aid, as well as advanced weapons technologies, including those related to intercontinental ballistic missiles, nuclear-capable ballistic missile submarines, and military reconnaissance satellites.

Also watch |Why is Putin cosying up to Kim?

There are concerns that potential Russian technology transfers could escalate the threat posed by Kim's expanding arsenal of nuclear weapons and missiles, which are designed to target the United States, South Korea, and Japan.

The Russia-North Korea relationship has been evolving since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, driven by Putin's need for military support and Kim's desire to strengthen partnerships with Moscow and Beijing, potentially breaking diplomatic isolation and aligning North Korea within a united front against Washington.

(With inputs from agencies)

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