Kim Jong Un to visit Russia

Kim Jong Un is to make his first foreign visit since taking power in 2011, traveling to Russia in May to attend war anniversary events, South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported on Wednesday.

"About 20 state leaders have confirmed their attendance, and the North Korean leader is among them," Yonhap quoted a Kremlin spokesman as saying.

The ceremonies celebrate the Soviet victory over Germany in World War II, which Russia marks every year on May 9. Kim's father, Kim Jong Il, was invited to the 60th anniversary celebrations in 2005 but did not attend, Yonhap reported.

The late Kim, who died in 2011, had a strong fear of flying. He took his personal train to Russia that same year for a rare meeting with Dmitry Medvedev, the president at the time.

Russia is one of North Korea's few allies, and both countries have sought to strengthen ties. Moscow has taken interest in a project to overhaul North Korea's railway network, in exchange for access to mineral resources.

Kim's visit to Russia, if it goes ahead, could also reflect a desire to reduce dependence on China, North Korea's main ally. However both Russia and China have voted with the UN Security Council for sanctions on Pyongyang for its nuclear and missile tests.

At the same time, China and South Korea have sought to boost their own ties. Chinese President Xi Jinping and South Korean President Park Guen-hye have met six times since both of them took office in 2012. Xi has not yet met the North's Kim.

Park has also been invited to the events in Moscow, but has not confirmed her attendance.

jr/sgb (AFP, Reuters)