Preparations in Progress for Kim Jong-un's Upcoming Visit to Russia
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Synopsis
Preparations are in full swing for North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's anticipated visit to Russia this year, as confirmed by a Russian minister. Discussions for ongoing strategic dialogue are also on the agenda.
Key Takeaways
- Kim Jong-un is set to visit Russia this year.
- Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko confirmed preparations.
- Sergey Lavrov will visit Pyongyang for strategic talks.
- The visit may coincide with the 80th Victory Day anniversary.
- Strengthened ties between North Korea and Russia were noted.
Seoul, March 27 (NationPress) Efforts are being initiated for the forthcoming visit of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to Russia this year, according to a statement from a Russian Minister on Thursday.
During a press conference in Moscow, Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko confirmed that Russia is making arrangements for Kim's visit, as reported by Russian news outlets TASS and Ria Novosti, although they did not disclose the precise date of the trip.
Furthermore, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is also set to visit Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea, to further engage in strategic discussions, as per the reports.
This announcement arises amidst speculation regarding Kim's possible visit to Russia in celebration of the 80th Victory Day anniversary on May 9, which may serve as a reciprocal gesture for Russian President Vladimir Putin's trip to North Korea in June of last year.
During that meeting, Putin extended an invitation to Kim to visit Moscow for summit discussions.
Earlier this month, Rudenko visited Pyongyang, where he engaged with North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui and Vice Foreign Minister Kim Jong-gyu, discussing the arrangement of high-level political engagements, as previously reported by TASS.
Last week, Russia's Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu also traveled to Pyongyang to meet with Kim, passing along a message from Putin, as reported by Yonhap news agency, citing TASS and Ria Novosti.
North Korea and Russia have strengthened their ties since Kim and Putin signed a mutual defense agreement during the latter's visit to Pyongyang last year, enhancing military cooperation and leading to the deployment of North Korean troops to Russia.
Should the visit occur, it would be Kim's third trip to Russia, following his travels to the eastern border city of Vladivostok in 2019 and the Vostochny Cosmodrome space center in the Amur region in 2023.
On March 22, the North Korean leader expressed his steadfast support for Russia's military actions in Ukraine during a meeting with Sergei Shoigu in Pyongyang.
