While in Vladivostok,a port city not far from North Korea,the two leaders would discuss Kim’s sending Russia artillery shells and anti-tank missiles in exchange for Moscow’s advanced technology for satellites and nuclear-powered submarines,the newspaper reported.
At a time when the United States has expressed concern about growing military ties between the two countries,the news of Kim’s planned visit came after Russia said it was discussing holding joint military exercises and closer ties with North Korea.
“Why not,these are our neighbours. There’s an old Russian saying:you don’t choose your neighbours and it’s better to live with your neighbours in peace and harmony,” Interfax news agency quoted Russia’s Defence Minister,Sergei Shoigu,as saying.
When asked about the possibility of joint exercises between the two countries,he said they were “of course” being discussed,the report said.
South Korean news agency Yonhap earlier cited South Korea’s intelligence agency as saying Shoigu,who visited Pyongyang in July,had proposed to Kim that their countries hold a naval exercise,along with China.
The Kremlin said last week that Moscow intended to deepen its “mutually respectful relations” with Pyongyang,one of its close Cold War allies and also one of a small handful of countries to back Russia’s proclaimed annexation of parts of Ukraine in 2022.