North Korean leader Kim Jong Un embarked on a journey to Russia on Tuesday aboard his heavily armored train, marking his first overseas trip in four years. Images released by state media depicted Kim in a somber mood, dressed in a black suit and flanked by high-ranking military officials in uniform. He waved from the entrance of his private train, adorned with green-and-gold livery.
According to the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim received a warm send-off from senior officials and residents of Pyongyang before his departure.
Experts suggest that the talks between Kim and Russian President Vladimir Putin are likely to revolve around potential arms agreements. Moscow is purportedly seeking artillery shells and antitank missiles from North Korea to support its military campaign in Ukraine. In return, Kim is reportedly interested in advanced technology for satellites and nuclear-powered submarines, as well as food aid to alleviate the dire economic conditions in his nation.
KCNA announced Kim’s departure, stating that he left on Sunday afternoon for the Russian Federation. State media images captured Kim walking on a red carpet, accompanied by an honor guard, as he made his way to the train.
The North Korean leader was accompanied by top military officials, including the defense chief, foreign minister, and officials responsible for weapons production and space technology, as reported by state media.
As of the latest update, KCNA did not disclose the precise location of Kim’s train on Tuesday, including whether it had crossed the Russian border. Experts estimate that the journey from Pyongyang to Vladivostok, covering a distance of approximately 1,200 kilometers (745 miles), would take at least 20 hours, assuming a travel speed of around 60 kilometers per hour for Kim’s heavily armored train, which may be significantly heavier than standard trains.
On Monday, both KCNA and the Kremlin confirmed the impending meeting between Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin. However, the announcement drew swift criticism from Washington, which viewed Putin’s overture as a sign of desperation in the face of his struggling Ukraine invasion.
The United States has cautioned that North Korea could face consequences if it supplies weapons to Russia for its war in Ukraine, potentially disrupting Ukrainian food supplies and heating infrastructure ahead of the winter months.
Experts believe that the Putin-Kim summit is part of Moscow’s strategy to pressure Seoul, preventing South Korea from supplying weapons to Kyiv. South Korea, a significant arms exporter, has previously sold tanks to Poland, an ally of Ukraine, but its domestic policy prohibits the sale of weapons to active conflict zones.
Andrei Lankov, a North Korea expert at Kookmin University in Seoul, characterized the summit as a form of “gentle diplomatic blackmail” by Russia, aimed at dissuading South Korea from arming Ukraine.
The ongoing Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, which runs until Wednesday, may serve as the backdrop for the Putin-Kim meeting. The historical ties between Moscow and Pyongyang, dating back 75 years to North Korea’s founding, have played a significant role in the ongoing alliance.
Kim Jong Un has consistently supported Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine, including the alleged supply of rockets and missiles, according to Washington. The White House has underscored the potential consequences for North Korea should it provide weapons to Russia, emphasizing that such actions could lead to a heavy price being paid.
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