Moscow, Russia
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has arrived via rail in Russia, where he is due to meet President Vladimir Putin.
One potential stop for Kim is Vostochny Cosmodrome, a space launch centre about 1,500km (950 miles) north of Vladivostok – which was thought to be his planned destination.
It was first reported by the New York Times earlier this month that Kim could visit the space centre after Vladivostok.
North Korea may seek co-operation from Russia for its own space programme, which late last month failed a second time to place a spy satellite in orbit after a rocket failure.But Russia’s own space programme has its own problems.It tried and failed last month to land on the moon and has faced a host of challenges since the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union, analysts say, including the loss of key technologies, Western sanctions and widespread corruption.
Several hours ago, we quoted South Korean defence ministry announcing that Kim had entered Russia – they were the first to report the news, before Russia media.When a world leader goes abroad, the visit is normally announced well in advance.
Journalists usually know when, where, what is going to be happening.But “normally” doesn’t seem to apply to Kim Jong Un.Moscow and Pyongyang only confirmed his Russia visit yesterday – but without mentioning where exactly he’s heading, or where his talks with President Putin will be held.
The initial rumour was Vladivostok. It made sense. That’s where Vladimir Putin is right now for the Eastern Economic Forum. It’s also where Kim Jong Un came in 2019.But, state TV in the Russian Far East has reported that Kim’s train has left Ussuriysk in the direction of Khabarovsk. A different direction!
It is a marriage made, if not in heaven, then certainly in the geo-political realities of 2023.
Both Russia and North Korea have been accused of becoming “rogue states”. Both are under heavy international sanctions. Both rail against the US.
A common enemy tends to bring leaders closer together. And so it is with Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un. Both see clear benefits from a closer relationship.
For Russia that could include a flow of munitions for its war in Ukraine. North Korea has a huge defence industry with large-scale production capabilities.
The US claims that arms talks between Russia and North Korea have been “actively advancing” with Russia reportedly seeking supplies of ammunition and artillery shells.
North Korea may be counting on humanitarian aid from Moscow to ease food shortages. But there’s also speculation that Pyongyang may be seeking advanced technologies for satellites and military use.
Source : BBC News