Seoul, September 12 – North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has reached Russia for summit talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Due to this, South Korea’s Defense Ministry official has said that there is increasing concern about a possible arms deal between Moscow and Pyongyang.
According to a report by South Korean news agency Yonhap News Agency, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) has reported that Kim Jong-un, along with key officials of the armed forces and the ruling party, has left for Russia aboard a bulletproof train from Pyongyang.
Jeon Ha-kyu, a spokesman for the South Korean Defense Ministry, said a few hours after the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that Kim Jong-un had arrived in Russia by bulletproof train early in the morning. He also said that Seoul is keeping its full attention on any possible talks on arms trade between the two countries.
Addressing reporters, South Korean Defense Ministry spokesperson Jeon Ha-kyu said, “We are keeping a close eye on whether there will be talks between Russia and North Korea regarding technology transfer and arms trade. ,
- Advertisement -
“Vesti Primorye”, a Russian media outlet, quoted a railway source as saying that Kim Jong-un’s train was heading towards Ussuriysk, Russia, via the Russian border city of Khasan station.
It has not yet been confirmed when and where the meeting between Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un will take place.
The Kremlin has said that discussions are planned between Russian delegations and North Koreans during Kim Jong-un’s visit to Russia.
This will be Kim’s first visit abroad after the Covid-19 pandemic, and his first visit to Russia in more than four years.
Pyongyang is trying to strengthen military ties with Moscow given increasing security cooperation between the US, Japan, and South Korea.
The New York Times published a report earlier this month, in which it was informed that in the war going on between Ukraine and Russia, there is a need for talks with Putin regarding the supply of arms and ammunition to Russia. Kim Jong-un may come to Vladivostok.
As soon as Russia and North Korea confirmed Kim Jong-un’s visit to Russia and talks with Putin, America called for Pyongyang not to provide any weapons to Russia.
Adrienne Watson, a White House National Security Council spokesperson, said the arms deal will be discussed during Kim’s visit to Russia and his meeting with Putin.
“We urge North Korea to abide by the public commitments that Pyongyang has made not to provide or sell weapons to Russia,” he said.
