North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attended a photo session with participants in the celebrations for the 75th anniversary of the country's founding, but he stayed away from other activities amid reports that he would soon leave for a visit to Russia. The Korean Central News Agency reported today, Sunday, that the celebrations on Saturday were filled with the offering of flower baskets to former leaders, banquets, and musical performances held for a visiting Chinese delegation, which also included a performance by a Russian military song and dance troupe.
The agency did not mention any participation from Kim except for the photo session in the courtyard of the mausoleum where his father and grandfather are buried, where he praised those "who prioritize state affairs over personal matters in good times and bad."
Kim is expected to travel to Vladivostok in the far east of Russia to meet President Vladimir Putin to discuss arms supplies and other military cooperation, likely on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum set to begin today, Sunday. North Korean state media has remained silent regarding the trip, which was first reported by the New York Times citing American officials, while South Korean intelligence stated that it is likely. The Kremlin stated that it "has nothing to say" on the matter.
North Korea and Russia denied that there were negotiations between them regarding arms, but the United States stated last week that such talks are actively progressing and warned that it would be a mistake for Kim to provide arms that could be used by Putin in Ukraine.
