Opening of Russia's Eastern Economic Forum... Focus on Kim Jong-un's Visit to Russia

Contrary to Expectations, Chairman Kim Jong-un Does Not Appear... Various Speculations Arise Over His Trip to Russia

As the Russia Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) gets underway, attention is focused on whether Kim Jong-un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea, will attend. Contrary to expectations, Kim has not appeared at the EEF, raising various possibilities about his anticipated movements.

According to Russian foreign media such as Interfax, the EEF is being held on the 10th (local time) at the Far Eastern Federal University in Vladivostok, Primorsky Krai, but Kim's attendance has not yet been announced.

Earlier, The New York Times (NYT), citing U.S. government officials, reported that during the EEF, which runs until the 13th, Kim might visit Vladivostok to hold a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin and discuss arms deals.

Vladimir Putin, President of Russia [Image source=Yonhap News]

For North Korea, which reopened its borders at the end of last month after 3 years and 7 months of the COVID-19 pandemic, humanitarian aid is urgently needed, and Russia also requires weapons due to the Ukraine war, so cooperation was seen as possible by Western assessments.

However, Kim has not visited Russia. Until the morning of this day, no unusual activity was reported at the North Korea-Russia border area, including Hassan Station in Primorsky Krai, through which Kim’s special train would pass or be inspected, nor at Vladivostok Station. The Kremlin has also refrained from commenting, stating "there is nothing to say" on the matter.

Some speculate that Kim may have changed his schedule to visit Russia. There are also claims that the North Korean and Russian leaders might meet in other Far Eastern regions outside Vladivostok during the EEF period or postpone the summit to hold a face-to-face meeting in Moscow.

President Putin arrived in Vladivostok on the 11th and plans to meet Oleg Kozhemyako, Governor of Primorsky Krai, among others, before attending the main EEF session on the 12th. This year’s EEF includes Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing and Laotian Vice President Pany Yathotou as top-level attendees. Both will hold talks with President Putin during the main session.

The EEF has been held since 2015 to explore key policy tasks of President Putin, such as the development of the Far East. This year marks the 8th forum, with about 7,000 participants from over 50 countries including China and India. North Korea is also sending a government delegation to this event, but it is not known who will lead it.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.