Kim Jong II arrives in Russia

The Kremlin has confirmed that North Korean leader Kim Jong Il has arrived in Russia and will meet with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev during his trip.

It is Kim’s first trip to Russia since 2002 and is the latest sign North Korea is trying to reach out in an effort to secure aid and restart stalled disarmament talks.

The Kremlin says Kim will visit the Far East of Russia and Siberia.

The North’s official Korean Central News Agency said that Kim would “be unofficially visiting Russia’s Siberian and Far East regions” at Russian President Dmitry Medvedev’s invitation.

It added that the “highest leaders of the two countries would be meeting during the visit”.