Kim Jong Un's Train Expected to Arrive in Khabarovsk Evening... Dinner with Russian Defense Officials and Others

Likely to Inspect Fighter Jet Production Factory and Shipyard on the 15th
Expected to Arrive in Vladivostok on the 16th... Accompanied by Russian Defense Minister

North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong Un, who completed a summit meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin that was dramatically arranged after 4 years and 5 months, is reportedly en route to Khabarovsk Krai in the Russian Far East to inspect a fighter jet production factory.

According to local sources in Vladivostok on the 14th (local time), Kim, who had a summit meeting and dinner with President Putin the previous afternoon, is said to be traveling by his private train to Komsomolsk-on-Amur, an industrial city in Khabarovsk Krai.

Earlier, President Putin mentioned in an interview with local media after the summit that "Chairman Kim will fly to Komsomolsk-on-Amur," but it is known that Kim returned directly on the private train he arrived on after the dinner.

Komsomolsk-on-Amur is located about 1,170 km east of the Vostochny Cosmodrome in Amur Oblast, where the summit was held.

As of 12:18 PM local time, Kim’s private train is reported to have reached or just entered the vicinity of the Trans-Siberian Railway (TSR) branch near Khabarovsk Krai, heading toward Komsomolsk-on-Amur.

It takes about 8 to 9 hours from this point to Komsomolsk-on-Amur, and considering that Kim’s private train travels slower than regular trains, it is expected to arrive at the destination late in the afternoon.

Japan’s Kyodo News, citing Russian authorities, reported that Kim will attend a dinner after arriving in the evening with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Khabarovsk Krai Governor Mikhail Degtyarev.

According to these sources, on the 15th, Kim is scheduled to inspect the "Yuri Gagarin" fighter jet factory in Komsomolsk-on-Amur, which produces advanced multipurpose fighter jets such as the Sukhoi (Su)-57 and civilian aircraft.

Kim Kwang-hyok, Commander of the Korean People's Army Air Force, and Kim Myong-sik, Commander of the Navy, are expected to accompany Kim, with Minister Shoigu guiding the visit, suggesting the possibility of cooperation between the military authorities of the two countries.

Komsomolsk-on-Amur is home not only to fighter jet production factories but also to shipyards for building submarines and other warships.

Kyodo introduced the prospect that Kim might also visit the shipyard.

North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un visiting Russia.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

This visit to Khabarovsk Krai by the North Korean leader is reportedly the third, following visits by Kim Jong Il, Kim Jong Un’s father and former National Defense Commission Chairman, in 2001 and 2002.

Kim Jong Il also visited Komsomolsk-on-Amur in the past to inspect fighter jet production factories and other facilities.

According to local media, preparations to welcome Kim have been underway in the city for several days.

Flower beds were planted around the station where the private train will arrive, and extensive cleaning was carried out.

Fences were installed along the railway tracks, and the station stairs were repainted.

To create a neat city atmosphere, illegal advertisements on building walls in the downtown area were removed, roads were cleaned, and streetlights were repainted.

After completing the schedule in Komsomolsk-on-Amur on the 15th, Kim is expected to take his private train southward about 1,150 km to Vladivostok in Primorsky Krai.

Locals anticipate that Kim will arrive in Vladivostok around noon on the 16th, visit the Pacific Fleet headquarters and Far Eastern Federal University, and depart for North Korea late that night.

Access to Far Eastern Federal University will be restricted for local residents on the 15th and 16th for Kim’s security.

Minister Shoigu is also reported to accompany Kim on his Vladivostok schedule.

Kyodo News, citing Russian authorities, also reported, "After visiting Komsomolsk-on-Amur, Kim plans to inspect the Russian Pacific Fleet in Vladivostok before returning home," adding that "Minister Shoigu may also accompany him on the Vladivostok inspection."

Previously, in April 2019, Kim visited Russia for the first time since taking power, staying in Vladivostok for three days and two nights, during which he held a summit meeting with President Putin.

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