“Arms summit” in the symbolic background of the spaceport?: Guessing the location of the Putin-Kim summit

class=”sc-29f61514-0 icZBHN”>

Just like in 2019, North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un (39) again traveled to Russia in the dark green armored train. But he did not immediately go to Vladivostok for the planned meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin (70), where Putin took part in an economic forum on Monday and Tuesday.

Kim got off just a few meters after the border, at the Khasan train station, which is just a kilometer from North Korea. From Khasan to Vladivostok – 130 kilometers as the crow flies – it was again a journey of several hours. But Kim’s steel train, pulled by a Russian locomotive, passed by Vladivostok, Russia’s Ria Novosti news agency reported.

Kim’s destination remains unknown and Putin remains silent on the location of the meeting. But Russian and South Korean observers want to know where the summit will take place.

Symbol of Russian ambitions

In 2019, Putin and Kim met in Vladivostok. Putin indicated on Tuesday that he would travel further to the Vostochny cosmodrome. The Russian cosmodrome in the Amur region is located a day’s journey northwest of the Russian economic metropolis in the Far East.

Russian media speculate that the summit between Putin and Kim will take place in Vostochny. The cosmodrome, which opened in 2016, is seen as a symbol of Russia’s ambition to explore space on its own – and to go alone if necessary. Vostochny is important to Moscow’s satellite and missile programs.

There is also speculation in South Korea that Putin and Kim will meet there. “The importance of the cosmodrome in demonstrating possible military cooperation between North Korea and Russia makes it a symbolically appropriate and strategic location for such a meeting,” writes the Korea Herald.

Top of arms deals?

Arms deals are expected to dominate Putin’s agenda at the summit. The Kremlin ruler will likely try to replenish Russia’s rapidly dwindling ammunition supplies. North Korea should supply Russia with more weapons for the war in Ukraine. There are also signs that the meeting could discuss space technology, a priority for Kim.

Putin has not confirmed whether he would meet Kim at the Cosmodrome. All he said Tuesday was, “You’ll know when I get there.”

The South Korean government expects the summit to take place in the Far East on Wednesday, but has not ruled out the meeting taking place later. (kes)

Source: Blick