Russia may make public information about Kim Jong-un's visit

Interfax news agency on September 12 quoted Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko as saying that Moscow will pass on to Seoul details of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's planned visit to Russia if South Korea requests such information.

"We have the South Korean Embassy in Moscow. If they want, we can provide available information," Mr. Rudenko said.

He also stressed that Russia will continue to communicate with South Korea because Seoul is Moscow's trading partner and both have "common interests in stabilizing the situation in Northeast Asia and the Korean Peninsula."

Earlier, the South Korean military announced that Mr. Kim Jong-un had arrived in Russia on a private train in the early morning of September 12.

The Kremlin said talks between North Korean and Russian delegations were planned during Kim Jong-un's visit.

On August 31, Russia said Moscow intends to strengthen relations with North Korea.

"Moscow and Pyongyang maintain good relations, mutual respect. We intend to develop them further. Contacts are being held at various levels," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, stressing that Russia considers North Korea "a very important neighbor."

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (center) inspects an honor guard before departing for Russia at a train station in Pyongyang, September 10, 2023.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (center) at the Pyongyang train station before leaving for Russia, September 10, 2023

Police and soldiers stand guard at the Vladivostok railway station, Russia, September 11, 2023

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (center) at a train station in Pyongyang, September 10, 2023, before boarding a train to visit Russia

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un departs for Russia from a train station in Pyongyang, September 10, 2023

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un departs for Russia from a train station in Pyongyang, September 10, 2023