North Korean leader Kim Jong Un appears to have departed for Russia on Monday for a summit with President Vladimir Putin, according to a South Korean media report.
Kim was spotted traveling toward the northeastern border with Russia on his private train, and is presumed to be heading for Vladivostok where an economic forum is being held, South Korean news channel YTN said, citing a high-ranking government official.
The New York Times reported last week that the two leaders would meet to discuss the supply of weapons from North Korea to Russia as they attend the three-day Eastern Economic Forum through Wednesday.
The United States has warned North Korea not to provide weapons and ammunition to Russia for use in its war in Ukraine.
South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin said earlier Monday that the government is reviewing possible measures to be taken in case North Korea and Russia trade in arms.
"Even now, tensions on the Korean Peninsula have risen due to threats from North Korea, and if illegal arms deals banned by the U.N. Security Council are made, the situation on the peninsula will worsen," Park said.
