NORTH Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s train “appears” to have left for Russia, reported South Korea’s Yonhap news agency today, citing an unidentified official.

Kim’s train “appears to have departed”, reported Yonhap.

Speculation has been mounting that Kim, who rarely leaves his country and has not travelled since the coronavirus pandemic started, will meet Russia’s President Vladimir Putin to discuss arms deals.

Other nations’ officials recently told The New York Times Kim was likely to head by armoured train this month to Vladivostok, on Russia’s Pacific coast not far from North Korea, to meet Putin.

Russia, a historical ally of Pyongyang, was a crucial backer of the isolated country for decades and their ties go back to the founding of North Korea 75 years ago.

Kim has been steadfast in his support for Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, including supplying rockets and missiles, said Washington.

In July, Putin hailed Pyongyang’s “firm support for special military operations against Ukraine”. – AFP, September 11, 2023.