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North Korean (North Korea) leader Kim Jong-un, accompanied by government officials, left Pyongyang to visit Russia. Photo/KCNA via REUTERS
MOSCOW – North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has arrived in Russia, a source told Reuters, Tuesday (12/9/2023). The Kremlin called Kim Jong-un’s visit to hold comprehensive discussions with President Vladimir Putin.
Kim Jong-un’s visit comes amid warnings from Washington that it should not agree to an arms sales deal.
North Korean state media reported Kim left Pyongyang for Russia on Sunday in his private train, accompanied by top military and arms industry officials.
A Russian source familiar with the trip told Reuters that Kim arrived in Russia on Tuesday morning, leaving his train to meet local officials in Khasan, the main rail gateway to Russia’s Far East, before continuing his journey.
Kim’s arrival was also reported by Russian state television Rossiya 1, which showed a train purportedly carrying the North Korean leader – with its distinctive olive green paint job – crossing a bridge.
Kim Jong-un does not travel abroad often, making only seven trips away from home and crossing the inter-Korean border twice in his 12 years in power. Four of those trips were to North Korea’s main political ally, China.
“It will be a full-fledged visit,” said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
“There will be negotiations between the two delegations, and after that, if necessary, the leaders will continue their communication in a one-on-one format,” Peskov added as reported by Reuters.
Russian officials said discussions could also include humanitarian aid to North Korea and UN Security Council resolutions imposed on Pyongyang.
