North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has entered Russia by train. Kim's train crossed the Russia-North Korea border at the Tumen River and arrived at Khasan Station on the Russian side on Wednesday morning.

Video footage obtained by NHK shows Kim descending stairs to the platform and taking off his hat to greet the people welcoming him. A red carpet can be seen on the platform as senior Russian officials, including Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov, received Kim.Kim visited a facility known as the house of Kim Il Sung, his grandfather. It was built to mark the friendly relations between the two countries.

The train carrying Kim is now heading to the Russian Far East city of Vladivostok, about 300 kilometers from the border. Kim is expected to arrive in the city later on Wednesday, and will hold a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday. The focus is on possible discussions on the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

Kim's trip is the first time in about eight years that a North Korean leader has visited Russia. His father, Kim Jong Il, made the trip in August of 2011.

NHK