North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, accompanied by government officials, departs Pyongyang, North Korea, to visit Russia, on September 10, 2023, in this image released by North Korea’s Korean Central News Agency on September 12, 2023. KCNA via REUTERS
SEOUL — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has left Pyongyang for Russia on his private train, state media reported on Tuesday, with photos showing that top arms industry officials, among other diplomats and military commanders likely accompany him.
Kim left on Sunday on a trip that will include meetings with President Vladimir Putin, state news agency KCNA said.
American officials, who first reported that the visit was imminent, said the discussions would likely include a possible deal for North Korea to provide Russia with weapons for the war in Ukraine.
Kim was accompanied by top government officials, including military personnel, KCNA said.
Among the delegation are prominent military members of the ruling party, including Munitions Industry Department Director Jo Chun Ryong, and one analyst said the make-up of the delegation suggests the visit will mainly focus on defense industry cooperation and security affairs.
“The presence of Jo Chun Ryong indicates that North Korea and Russia will conclude some type of agreement for munitions purchases,” said Michael Madden, a North Korea leadership expert at the Washington-based Stimson Center.
Photos released by state media showed military honor guards and crowds of people in dark suits and colorful dresses waving flowers and flags as he boarded the dark green train, which is believed to be armored and carry other specialized equipment.
Kim’s trip to Russia and meeting with Putin will be a full-scale visit, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said in a video posted online.
According to Peskov, the main topic of the talks will be relations between the neighboring countries.
“We will continue to strengthen our friendship,” he said.
Both Moscow and Pyongyang have denied earlier U.S. accusations that they had conducted arms deals, but the two countries have vowed to boost defense ties.