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North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un 'to visit Russia' North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un 'to visit Russia'
(about 5 hours later)
Russia says North Korea's leader has accepted an invitation to Moscow in May, South Korea's Yonhap reports. Russia says North Korea's leader has accepted an invitation to travel to Moscow in May for World War Two anniversary celebrations.
The news agency cites a written response from the Kremlin, but says it does not mention Kim Jong-un by name. Presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said his presence had been confirmed, and Russia was preparing for his visit.
Yonhap quotes a Unification Ministry official as saying the reference to the leader could be ambiguous, as Kim Yong-nam is the nominal head of state. However, Mr Peskov did not mention Kim Jong-un by name, sparking speculation that another official may attend.
Kim Jong-un has not made any overseas visits since taking power in North Korea in late 2011.Kim Jong-un has not made any overseas visits since taking power in North Korea in late 2011.
His first destination will been keenly watched for what it might indicate about his policies and strategy. South Korea's Unification Ministry told Yonhap that the reference to the leader could be ambiguous, as Kim Yong-nam is the nominal head of state.
'Not finalised''Not finalised'
Earlier this month, reports emerged suggesting Russia could be the recipient of Mr Kim's first official visit. Earlier this month, reports emerged suggesting Russia could be the site of Mr Kim's first official visit.
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told journalists on 21 January that Russia had invited Mr Kim to the 9 May celebrations to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of World War Two. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told journalists on 21 January that Russia had invited Mr Kim to the 9 May celebrations to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of WW2.
He said that the "first signal was positive" from the North Korean government.He said that the "first signal was positive" from the North Korean government.
Yonhap news agency said the response from the Russian presidential office confirmed that North Korea's leader was among heads of state from 20 nations who had confirmed plans to attend. Mr Peskov told Interfax news agency on Wednesday: "The participation of the North Korean leader has been confirmed, we are preparing for his arrival."
But the response did not specify Kim Jong-un by name and said: "The list of attendees has not been finalised yet, as we continue a process of confirming the attendance of those invited," Yonhap reported. However, Yonhap reported earlier that the Kremlin had not finalised the list of guests, and there has been no statement from North Korea.
There has been no statement from North Korea. Kim Yong-nam, whose official title is president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, has more traditionally represented North Korea at overseas events. Kim Yong-nam, whose official title is president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, has more traditionally represented North Korea at overseas events.
Visits by Kim Jong-un's late father, Kim Jong-il, were never announced ahead of his departure. Visits by Kim Jong-un's father Kim Jong-il, the former leader who died in December 2011, were never announced ahead of his departure.
The late Mr Kim visited Russia in August 2011, shortly before his death. But he paid more regular visits to China which, under his leadership, was seen as Pyongyang's closest ally. Kim Jong-il visited Russia in August 2011, but he paid more regular visits to China. Under his leadership, China was seen as the North's closest ally.
If Kim Jong-un did choose to visit Moscow ahead of Beijing, the decision would be seen as significant - and as a snub to Chinese President Xi Jinping. If Kim Jong-un did choose to visit Moscow ahead of Beijing, the decision could be seen as a sign of growing distance between China and the North.
In recent years, China has come under pressure from Japan, South Korea and the US to exert more pressure on Pyongyang over its nuclear programme.In recent years, China has come under pressure from Japan, South Korea and the US to exert more pressure on Pyongyang over its nuclear programme.
Beijing has, on some occasions, expressed exasperation with its northern neighbour via official media channels.Beijing has, on some occasions, expressed exasperation with its northern neighbour via official media channels.
It also backed UN resolutions strengthening sanctions on Pyongyang after its recent missile and nuclear tests in 2013.It also backed UN resolutions strengthening sanctions on Pyongyang after its recent missile and nuclear tests in 2013.