23 April

North Korea's state-run media say leader Kim Jong Un will soon visit Russia for his first meeting with President Vladimir Putin.

North Korean media announced on Tuesday that Kim was paying a visit at Putin's invitation. The date and location of the summit were not specified.

It is the first time North Korea has mentioned the visit, although Russia's presidential office said last week that it will happen later this month.

The North Korean leader is expected to travel by train and arrive in Vladivostok in Russia's Far East as early as Wednesday. He is likely to meet Putin at the Far Eastern Federal University on Thursday.

Denuclearization will likely be the main topic. The second US-North Korea summit broke down in February without an agreement on the issue.

Observers say a frustrated Pyongyang is reaching out to Russia, as the country has expressed support for easing sanctions on the North.

NHK