Kim Jong-un to visit Russia for ceremony

Kim Jong-un, leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, is likely to visit Russia early next month to attend a ceremony marking the 70th anniversary of the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in World War II, Russia's ambassador to Seoul said on Thursday.

Alexandro Timonin, Russian ambassador to the Republic of Korea, told a news conference that Kim "will probably go" to Moscow on May 9 when Russia holds festivities to mark the Soviet's World War II victory, including a massive parade in Red Square.

Timonin, who came to Seoul in January after serving as Russian ambassador to the DPRK, said that Kim's participation was confirmed through diplomatic channels.

He said Russia is ready to actively participate in the inter-Korean industrial zone in the DPRK's border town of Kaesong.

One of the options was ethnic Koreans living in Russia who proposed to run food-related factories in Kaesong, he said.

A gas pipeline, which links Russia and the Republic of Korea through the DPRK's territory, is under discussion in Russia, Timonin said, adding that Russia is ready to carry out the project.

Touching on the advanced US missile defense system, called the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, Timonin expressed his strong opposition to its deployment on the Korean Peninsula.

Timonin said that the THAAD is part of the US strategy to expand its missile defense system globally, opposing its deployment on the peninsula bordering Russia.

When deciding on the deployment, South Korea should consider possible adverse effects on regional situations as it is a very complicated matter militarily and politically, he noted.