김정은, 블라디보스토크 도착…내일 푸틴과 회담
We begin with the latest on the closely-watched Pyeongyang-Moscow summit.
More details are released on the time of the event and the additional news comes as Kim Jong-un is in the Far Eastern Federal University in Vladivostok.
Lee Ji-won has our top story.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin are set to hold their first summit in Vladivostok at around 1 to 2 p.m. on Thursday.
This is according to Russian reporters, citing the Kremlin.
The news comes after Kim's arrival in the city earlier on Wednesday.
He was greeted by guard of honor and senior Russian officials,... including Alexander Kozlov, the Minister for the Development of the Russian Far East and Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov.
Kim then headed to his hotel at the Far Eastern Federal University, located on Russky Island off the coast of Vladivostok.
The venue is also where the leaders are expected to meet on Thursday.
And contrary to expectations, Kim did not have dinner with the Russian officials.
Just as he did when visiting Vietnam for his 2nd summit with U.S. President Donald Trump, Kim once again used his train to get to the Russian city.
He departed early on Wednesday,... crossing the Russian border at around 10-forty in the morning, local time.
Accompanying Kim were Pyeongyang's top diplomat Ri Yong-ho,and Vice Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui.
He made a quick stop over at Khasan Station, where a short ceremony was held to welcome him, and Kim gave an unexpected interview with a local broadcaster.
"I hope this visit will be successful and useful, and that President Putin and I can discuss on the specific issues that need resolution on the Korean Peninsula, as well as the development of our bilateral relations."*
Here, Kim also looked around the museum of "Kim Il-sung's House," which was built near the station in 1986 to honor the visit to the Soviet Union of Kim Jong-un's late grandfather and founder of the North Korean regime Kim Il-sung.
After an hour break, Kim boarded the train for another 6 hours to arrive in Vladivostok.
Russian President Putin is slated to arrive on Thursday, ahead of his one-on-one sitdown with Kim. The meeting will be followed by an expanded talk between respective delegations, and there won't be a signing of any agreements or delivery of a joint statement by the two leaders.
The main agenda of the summit was said to be finding diplomatic solutions to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, but many are expecting Kim and Putin to also discuss their bilateral issues, economic ties,... and possibly easing UN sanctions against the North.
While the exact date of Kim's departure is yet to be confirmed,... Kim is expected to stay at least an extra day after his summit with Putin.
During his stay, Kim could have a sitdown with North Korean students at the university or pay a visit to various economic or tourists locations including the world-renowned Mariinsky Theatre or R
