Kim Jong Un Set To Visit Russia: Arms Trade and Diplomacy on the Agenda

North Korean delegation visited Russia last month…could meet for the first time in 4 years at the Vladivostok forum
North Korea may ask for satellite, nuclear submarine technology…

According to reports, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is expected to visit Russia next week and meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss arms trade issues.

 

The New York Times (NYT) reported on the 4th (local time) that Kim Jong Un is considering visiting Russia this month, citing US government officials.

According to Yonhap News Agency, US government officials have officially confirmed that they expect Kim Jong Un to continue discussing arms trade negotiations with Russia at the summit level.

Kim Jong Un is likely to travel to Vladivostok by train and is expected to hold talks with President Putin.

Kim Jong Un and Putin are expected to meet at the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) in Vladivostok from the 10th to the 13th of this month.

However, there is also speculation that the meeting could occur in Moscow.

The US government revealed that negotiations on arms trade between North Korea and Russia were progressing following Sergei Shoigu’s visit to North Korea.

According to the negotiations on arms trade, there is a possibility that the Russian military could receive a significant amount and various types of ammunition from North Korea for use in Ukraine.

According to US government officials, North Korea could request advanced technology transfer and food support related to satellites and nuclear-powered submarines in exchange for the supply of ammunition and anti-tank missiles desired by Russia.

There is also a possibility that Kim Jong Un will visit the Russian Pacific Fleet’s 33rd Pier in Vladivostok.

US government officials also mentioned the possibility of Kim Jong-un visiting the Vostochny Cosmodrome.

The Vostochny Cosmodrome, located about 1,500 kilometers north of Vladivostok, was newly built to reduce Russia’s dependence on the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, which Russia is currently leasing, and the first rocket launch took place in 2016.

A delegation of 20 North Korean government representatives traveled from Pyongyang to Vladivostok by train. Then it flew to Moscow, indicating that Kim Jong Un is seriously considering visiting Russia, according to the NYT.

The delegation reportedly included security personnel, emphasizing the importance of Kim Jong Un’s visit to Russia.

The US government reported that Kim Jong Un’s visit to Russia was first proposed during the visit of Sergei Shoigu, Russian Defense Minister, to North Korea in July.

After Kim Jong Un proposed strengthening military cooperation with Russia and requested Putin’s visit to North Korea, Shoigu proposed Kim Jong Un’s visit.

Earlier, Kim Jong Un visited Vladivostok by train in April 2019 and had his first summit meeting with President Putin.

Regarding the report by the NYT on this day, a US government official also officially confirmed that there is a possibility of high-level diplomatic contact between North Korea and Russia in Russia.

Adrienne Watson, spokesperson for the White House National Security Council (NSC), said in response to a question from Yonhap News Agency about the confirmation of the NYT report, “As we have publicly warned, negotiations on arms trade between Russia and North Korea are actively progressing.”

Watson added, “Last month, Sergei Shoigu, Russian Defense Minister, visited North Korea to persuade them to sell missiles to Russia. We know such dialogue will continue, including Kim Jong-un’s leader-level diplomatic engagement in Russia.”

The spokesperson for the State Department also emphasized in response to Yonhap News Agency’s question, “Partly due to the success of US sanctions and export controls, Russia has been forced to rely on rogue states like North Korea to obtain the weapons and equipment necessary to support military operations against Ukraine.”

The US warned that the arms trade between North Korea and Russia violates UN Security Council resolutions and that it will continue to identify and respond to attempts by Russia to obtain military equipment from countries like North Korea.

Earlier, John Kirby, the White House National Security Council’s Assistant Secretary for Strategic Communication, called for a halt to arms trade negotiations between North Korea and Russia during a briefing on April 30.

The ambassadors of the United States, Japan, and South Korea to the United Nations also held a press conference at the UN headquarters immediately after the White House announcement, demanding that negotiations be suspended due to the violation of Security Council resolutions by the arms trade between North Korea and Russia.

In a response sent to Yonhap News Agency, the spokesperson for the US State Department also stated, “We are taking direct action by exposing and sanctioning individuals and organizations that are working to make arms trade between North Korea and Russia possible. We will continue to identify, expose, and respond to attempts by Russia or other countries prepared to support North Korea or wage war against Ukraine to obtain military equipment.”