What to make of reports that Kim Jong Un will visit Russia for summit with Putin



Analysis What to make of reports that Kim Jong Un will visit Russia for summit with Putin Experts disagree on if Russia needs North Korean arms but say both sides seek to counter US-ROK military cooperation Arius Derr \| Chad O'Carroll \| Joe Smith September 5, 2023 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un in Vladivostok in 2019 \| Image: Kremlin In the coming days, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un could take his biggest diplomatic step since the outbreak of COVID-19 and travel to Russia to meet Vladimir Putin for discussions on arms sales and military cooperation, according to news reports. On Monday, The New York Times reported that the two leaders will meet on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum to be held in Vladivostok in Russia’s Far East from Sept. 10 to 13, citing “U.S. and allied officials.” The BBC later echoed the claims. While Moscow and Pyongyang have yet to confirm the meeting will take place, © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. Get the Daily Update & Podcast Updates Start your day with the North Korea stories that matter most – as selected by Trending

Analysis

What to make of reports that Kim Jong Un will visit Russia for summit with Putin

Experts disagree on if Russia needs North Korean arms but say both sides seek to counter US-ROK military cooperation

Arius Derr | Chad O'Carroll | Joe Smith September 5, 2023

What to make of reports that Kim Jong Un will visit Russia for summit with Putin

Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un in Vladivostok in 2019 | Image: Kremlin

In the coming days, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un could take his biggest diplomatic step since the outbreak of COVID-19 and travel to Russia to meet Vladimir Putin for discussions on arms sales and military cooperation, according to news reports.

On Monday, The New York Times reported that the two leaders will meet on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum to be held in Vladivostok in Russia’s Far East from Sept. 10 to 13, citing “U.S. and allied officials.” The BBC later echoed the claims.

While Moscow and Pyongyang have yet to confirm the meeting will take place,

About the Authors

Arius Derr

Arius Derr is Director of Communications at the Korea Economic Institute. He formerly worked as NK News Managing Editor from 2021 to 2022, Deputy Managing Editor from 2022 to 2023 and Editor from 2023 to 2025. Prior to that, he was an editor at East Asia Forum and KBS, South Korea’s public broadcaster. His graduate research focuses on U.S. nuclear policy and U.S.-DPRK relations. Follow him on Twitter @AriusDerr.

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Chad O'Carroll

Chad O'Carroll is the founder of NK News/NK Pro and related holding company Korea Risk Group. In addition to being the group's CEO, O'Carroll is a frequent writer and commentator about the Koreas, having written about the two nations since 2010. He has visited the DPRK multiple times, worked and lived in Washington, D.C. with a focus on peninsula issues, and lived in the ROK since 2016.

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