11-9-2023 (MOSCOW) North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is reported to have departed for Russia by train to meet with President Vladimir Putin, according to South Korean media. This development has raised concerns in the West that Pyongyang might be planning to provide weapons to Moscow for use in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
South Korean broadcaster YTN reported that an armored train carrying Kim was heading to North Korea’s northeastern border on Monday, with a meeting expected to take place in the Russian port city of Vladivostok as early as Tuesday.
Earlier on Monday, the Russian news agency Interfax stated that Kim was expected to visit the Far East “in the coming days.”
Last week, the White House claimed to have intelligence indicating that Russia was seeking to purchase additional artillery shells from North Korea to bolster its defense capabilities. US officials also revealed that the two countries were arranging a meeting between their leaders, scheduled to take place this month. Jake Sullivan, the US national security adviser, warned that North Korea would face consequences for supplying weapons to Russia for use in Ukraine.
The US, Britain, South Korea, and Japan have all stated that any arms deal between North Korea and Russia would violate UN Security Council resolutions.
If confirmed, this trip would mark Kim’s first visit abroad in over four years and his first since the Covid-19 pandemic.
The meeting between Kim and Putin could potentially take place at the Eastern Economic Forum, an annual conference held at the Far Eastern Federal University campus in Vladivostok, scheduled to run until September 13.
On Monday, the Kremlin announced that Putin had arrived in Vladivostok for a two-day visit to the forum.
Kim and Putin, who first met in 2019, are seeking to strengthen military and economic cooperation to counter their increasing international isolation resulting from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and North Korea’s ballistic missile and nuclear weapons programs.
In July, Russia’s Defense Minister, Sergei Shoigu, visited Pyongyang and toured a defense exhibition featuring the country’s banned ballistic missiles.
Analysts speculate that North Korea possesses a significant supply of artillery shells, rockets, and small arms ammunition that could assist Russia in replenishing its military stocks depleted during the 18-month-long war in Ukraine. In return, Moscow may provide advanced technology for satellites and nuclear-powered submarines.
