North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-Un looks set to take an initial, tentative step onto the global stage with a visit in May to Russia — his first trip abroad since coming to power three years ago.
Moscow will be comrade Kim’s diplomatic “coming out” and minutely scrutinised, especially with other world leaders, including China’s Xi Jinping, expected to be there.
The Kremlin confirmed Wednesday that Kim would be among those attending ceremonies to mark the 70th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.
Kim’s presence would set up some potentially intriguing meet and greets.
As well as Xi, US President Barack Obama and South Korean President Park Geun-Hye have both been invited, but have yet to confirm one way or the other.
Obama is considered an unlikely participant given current tensions with Russia over Ukraine, while Park’s office says she is still considering unspecified scheduling conflicts.
By far the most prominent foreigner he has met in the past three years is the former NBA basketball star, Dennis Rodman.
Analysts differ over why Kim has delayed any overseas visit for so long.
Some suggest he was observing a traditional three-year mourning period for his father and late leader Kim Jong-Il which ended in December last year.
Others say his relative youth and inexperience required him to grow into his role as supreme leader at home, before venturing abroad.
Kim’s choice of Russia for his foreign debut would be a reflection of warming ties between Pyongyang and Moscow, especially on the trade and economic front.
However, his trip remains in doubt till he is actually seen in Moscow.
