Russia calls on North Korean leader to visit in May

Asahi Shimbun Japanese newspaper reported on Wednesday that Russia called North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to attend the commemoration of the end of World War II ceremonies in May in what may be the first foreign visit for Kim since taking the helm of the reclusive state in 2011.

The newspaper said, quoting unnamed diplomatic sources said Kim would probably meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin as North Korea supports Russia in Ukraine crisis while Moscow need to cooperate with Pyongyang to promote exports of natural gas to South Korea.

The newspaper said it is unclear at the moment whether Kim would accept the invitation.

North Korea is seeking to forge closer ties with Russia at a time when it is facing international criticism over charges of human rights violations as well as its nuclear program.

Putin held talks with the Personal Envoy of Kim last month and called for the deepening of relations with North Korea to improve regional security.

He said Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said North Korea is ready to resume the stalled international talks on its nuclear program.

North Korea began, South Korea, Japan, China, Russia and the United States talks in 2003 to rid the Korean Peninsula of nuclear weapons, but those talks stalled after Pyongyang conducting nuclear tests in 2006 and 2009.