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| North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un to visit Russia | |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Russia says North Korea's leader has accepted an invitation to travel to Moscow in May for World War Two anniversary celebrations. | Russia says North Korea's leader has accepted an invitation to travel to Moscow in May for World War Two anniversary celebrations. |
| Presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said his presence had been confirmed, and Russia was preparing for his visit. | Presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said his presence had been confirmed, and Russia was preparing for his visit. |
| However, Mr Peskov did not mention Kim Jong-un by name, sparking speculation that another official may attend. | 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. |
| 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. | 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 site 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 WW2. | 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. |
| Mr Peskov told Interfax news agency on Wednesday: "The participation of the North Korean leader has been confirmed, we are preparing for his arrival." | Mr Peskov told Interfax news agency on Wednesday: "The participation of the North Korean leader has been confirmed, we are preparing for his arrival." |
| However, Yonhap reported earlier that the Kremlin had not finalised the list of guests, and there has been no statement from North Korea. | However, Yonhap reported earlier that the Kremlin had not finalised the list of guests, and 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 father Kim Jong-il, the former leader who died in December 2011, 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. |
| 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. | 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 could be seen as a sign of growing distance between China and the North. | 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. |