Kim Jong Il arrives in Russia: reports

CTVNEWS

Kim Jong Il arrives in Russia: reports

The Associated Press Published Friday, August 19, 2011 10:10PM EDT

In this undated photo released by Korean Central News Agency via Korea News Service in Tokyo April 6, 2011, North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, left, along with his son Kim Jong Un, second right, visit a factory in Jagang Province, North Korea. (AP Photo/Korean Central News Agency via Korea News Service)

Text:

SEOUL, South Korea - South Korean media are reporting that North Korean leader Kim Jong Il has arrived in Russia.

YTN television said Saturday that Kim arrived in the Russian Far East but gave no source for the information. Yonhap news agency quoted a South Korean government source it did not identify as saying that Kim travelled by train to the area.

The reports come a day after a South Korean lawmaker's aide said Seoul's spy agency saw signs that Kim was preparing to visit Russia.

North Korea said last week that Russian President Dmitry Medvedev sent a letter calling for greater energy co-operation among Russia and the two Koreas, saying it would enhance regional security.

Kim last visited Russia in 2002.