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No Discussion of Military Cooperation Expected Between North Korea and Russia

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No Discussion of Military Cooperation Expected Between North Korea and Russia

Posted August. 18, 2002 22:41,

No Discussion of Military Cooperation Expected Between North Korea and Russia. August. 18, 2002 22:41. by Ki-Hyun Kim kimkihy@donga.com.

One diplomat in Moscow confirmed on August 17, Kim Jung-il, who is head of North Korea and is announced to visit Moscow, and President Putin would not discuss large-scale military cooperation and joint nuclear development in the upcoming summit.

The source also said, Even though North Korea and Russia retains close ties, it is hard for North to buy Russian weapons, considering Norths economy and circumstances around it.

The source added, North will keep its promise to freeze its missile development by next year. In the future, it is likely that North would expand the time period.

Kim is expected to arrive in Far East of Russia on August 20 by his special train. But some say he would cross the border in the morning of 19th. The summit is scheduled for August 23.

Kim will visit Komsomolsk, which is the center of Russias defense industry where Sukhois are manufactured. He will also visit Khabarovsk and Vladivostok, the two major cities in Far East.

A Russian media reported on August 17 that transportation officials have begun to check the railway system of Hassan station where Kim is expected to arrive. The train of Kim will run from Hassan to Komsomolsk via Khabarovsk.

The Russia envoy in charge of Far East of Russia who invited Kim Jung-il left Khabarovsk on August 18 to Hassan to monitor the preparations for Kims visit. The envoy as he did during Kims last visit in August of 2001 will convoy Kim and his entourage to Russia.

In the meanwhile, Russias Daily Izveestiya reported on August 16, 2002, The summit might be held on the luxury cruise Princess. The Princess was reportedly purchased recently by Russia from Japan for $150 million. The length of ship is said to reach 20m. But other source said that the summit would be held at a guesthouse in Vladivostok.

Izvestiya also reported that Kim would receive an honorary doctorate degree from the Far East National University. But it is not confirmed yet.

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The source also said, Even though North Korea and Russia retains close ties, it is hard for North to buy Russian weapons, considering Norths economy and circumstances around it.

The source added, North will keep its promise to freeze its missile development by next year. In the future, it is likely that North would expand the time period.

Kim is expected to arrive in Far East of Russia on August 20 by his special train. But some say he would cross the border in the morning of 19th. The summit is scheduled for August 23.

Kim will visit Komsomolsk, which is the center of Russias defense industry where Sukhois are manufactured. He will also visit Khabarovsk and Vladivostok, the two major cities in Far East.

Izvestiya also reported that Kim would receive an honorary doctorate degree from the Far East National University. But it is not confirmed yet.

Ki-Hyun Kim kimkihy@donga.com