N.Korea’s top leader Kim Jong-un departs for Russia

Seoul, Sep 12 : North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin are set to hold a summit in Russia, the two nations have said, with Kims armoured train heading for Russia in what could be a significant indication over growing military cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow.

North Koreas official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) confirmed early on Tuesday that Kim had left Pyongyang for Russia aboard his train Sunday afternoon, accompanied by leading officials of the Norths ruling party and the armed forces, Yonhap news agency reported.

The KCNA said Kim "left here by his train on Sunday afternoon to visit the Russian Federation", without saying whether the train had crossed its border.

The KCNA reported late Monday that Kim "will meet and have a talk with Comrade Putin during the visit".

The Kremlin also confirmed that Kim will visit Russia "in coming days" at the invitation of Putin, according to the Russian news agency TASS.

Photos released by North Koreas state media showed Kim being accompanied by Pyongyangs Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui, as well as top military officials Ri Pyong-chol and Pak Jong-chon.

int/sha