Kim Jong Un arrives in Russia, first stop Khasan railway station

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
12 Sep 2023 18:47

The leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Kim Jong Un, arrives in Russia's Primorsky Region on his way to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin.

DPRK leader Kim Jong Un, center right, and Russian Minister of Natural Resources and Ecology Alexander Kozlov walk during a welcome ceremony after crossing the border to Russia at Khasan, south of Vladivostok. (Russian Ministry of Natural Resources and Ecology telegram channel via AP)

The leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Kim Jong Un, arrived in Russia, on Tuesday, on his first international journey since 2019.

Kim's first stop was in the Khasan railway station in the Primorsky Region, where he was welcomed by Primorsky Krai's Governor, Oleg Kozhemyako, alongside a Russian delegation.

Kozhemyako, in a message through Telegram, noted that alongside Natural Resources Minister Alexander Kozlov, he had held talks with the DPRK leader following the latter's arrival to Russia.

Memorably, the Khasan station holds specific significance in DPRK-Russian relations as it contains a historic landmark known as the Korea-Russia Friendship House, which was established in 1986 in order to commemorate Kim II Sung, Kim Jong Un's grandfather.

Earlier on Monday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that Kim and his Russian counterpart will discuss matters pertaining to bilateral relations, adding that Putin will host an official dinner in honor of Kim's visit.

On Tuesday, Peskov continued to say that the meeting will occur in the Far East. "We are not yet saying [where exactly], in the [Russian] Far East," Peskov told reporters. He did however say earlier that "both negotiations between delegations and, if necessary, face-to-face meetings [are planned]".

"There are no press conferences planned," he noted.

The last time Kim traveled to Russia to meet Putin was in 2019 when he made a train journey to Vladivostok, Russia's Far East.

Among other revelations, Peskov revealed that Russia is coordinating with the DPRK regarding the UN Security Council, saying that Russia is prepared to discuss the matter of UN Security Council sanctions against the DPRK.

"Processes related to work in the UN and in the Security Council are also becoming a subject for discussion. We are coordinating our actions as neighbors and partners of North Korea. Of course, if necessary, we will be ready to continue a discussion with our friends from North Korea on this topic, if such discussions take place," Peskov said.