Kim likely to visit Russia in May for war victory ceremony

SEOUL - Kim Jong Un, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), 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 Thursday.

Alexandro Timonin, Russian ambassador to South Korea, told a press conference with local media reporters in his embassy 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 on the Red Square.

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

Russian companies are working to do businesses at the inter- Korean industrial complex in the DPRK's border town of Kaesong. The ambassador said Russia is ready to actively participate in the Kaesong industrial zone.

One of the options was ethnic Koreans living in Russia who proposed to run food-related factories in Kaesong, he said. If agreed on the project, Russia will announce it in detail, he added.

The gas pipeline project, which links Russia and South Korea through the DPRK's territory, is under discussion in Russia, Timonin said, adding that Russia is ready to materialize the project.

Touching on the advanced US missile defense system, called the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), 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 to 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.