Kim Jong-un has ammunition stocks that Russia covets as it continues its war in Ukraine, and North Korea may get advanced technology and badly needed food aid in return.
When North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong-un, visited President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia four years ago, it was mostly for diplomatic show.
But this week he will visit Mr. Putin a second time with the ability to supply something the Kremlin desperately needs: munitions that could help Russian forces fighting in Ukraine.
The meeting, announced by both governments on Monday, comes as Mr. Putin is courting support for his standoff against the United States and NATO from other leaders opposed to Western dominance. Some, like Iran, have provided direct military assistance to Russia for its war in Ukraine, while others, like India, have resolutely declined to condemn Russian aggression.
In a brief statement, the Kremlin said Mr. Kim would “pay an official visit to the Russian Federation in the coming days” at Mr. Putin’s invitation. North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency confirmed that Mr. Kim would soon visit Russia for a summit meeting with Mr. Putin, but provided no further details.
Neither side said when the meeting would occur, but the two leaders are expected to meet in eastern port city of Vladivostok, where Mr. Putin is attending an economic forum this week.
The last time Mr. Kim visited Russia, he traveled to Vladivostok aboard a slow-moving armored train, the reclusive leader’s preferred method of travel during his rare trips out of his country. A train resembling the one he has previously traveled on was spotted heading north on Monday, in the direction of Vladivostok, which is about 700 miles away from Pyongyang, the North Korean capital.
Mr. Kim and Mr.
