Russia-North Korea summit likely to take place next week
(Baonghean) - According to Yonhap, the long-anticipated first summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin is likely to take place next week, as the US nuclear delegation plans to visit Moscow this week.
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| Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Photo: Internet |
North Korea's Air Koryo has also scheduled a special flight to Vladivostok next week, adding to speculation that Mr Kim could meet Mr Putin in the city bordering North Korea around Wednesday, when Mr Putin stops in the Far East on his way to China for an international conference.
In another move that suggests a Kim-Putin summit could be on the horizon, Seoul and Washington appear to be rushing to step up diplomacy with Moscow. The Foreign Ministry in Moscow has also confirmed that preparations for a summit between Putin and Kim have been ongoing.
Growing talk of the meeting has fueled speculation that the North Korean leader, intent on developing his country's economy, is seeking Moscow's support in his bid to lift sanctions amid a lack of progress in nuclear talks with Washington.
US Special Representative for North Korea Stephen Biegun will travel to Moscow on April 17 and 18 to meet with Russian officials and discuss “efforts to advance the complete denuclearization of North Korea.”
Biegun’s visit comes after South Korean Vice Foreign Minister Cho Hyun met with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Titov in Moscow on April 15. During that meeting, Cho mentioned the need for close cooperation in Seoul’s efforts to promote “complete denuclearization” and lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula.
Signs of preparations for the Putin-Kim summit began to emerge last month. Kim Chang-son, an adviser to the North Korean leader, is believed to have visited Moscow and Vladivostok in late March to prepare for Kim Jong-un's trip. Russian Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev also visited Pyongyang earlier this month.
According to a source in Vladivostok, an Air Koryo plane was scheduled to arrive in the Russian port city at 11 a.m. on Tuesday and then return to Pyongyang. The flight appeared to be planned for a special occasion, as the North Korean airline operates regular flights to Russia every Monday and Friday.
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