South Korean media report a North Korean train is on its way to Russia, presumably carrying leader Kim Jong Un for a possible meeting with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin.
Topline
A train has left North Korea for Russia and is presumably carrying leader Kim Jong Un for a possible meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to South Korean media reports on Monday, adding to growing international concern over Moscow’s deepening ties with Pyongyang amid reports the reclusive state is preparing to arm the Kremlin in its war in Ukraine.Key Facts
South Korean media reports, which cite unnamed South Korean government sources, suggest the train probably departed the North Korean capital of Pyongyang Sunday evening.
The reports suggest the train could be carrying Kim to Russia for a potential meeting with Putin, a summit U.S. officials last week said was in the works and likely to happen in the near future.
The meeting could happen as early as Tuesday, reports say.
If the train is indeed carrying Kim, it is likely to be his personal armored train, a slow and reportedly luxurious vehicle that stands in stark contrast to the poverty that prevails through much of North Korea.
Kim rarely leaves North Korea and the trip marks his first foreign visit since the country closed its borders in 2020 during the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic.
