Putin invites N.K. leader Kim to visit Vladivostok in Sept.

SEOUL, June 4 (Yonhap) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has invited North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to join a global forum to be held in Vladivostok in September, a Russian news outlet reported Monday.

The invitation was made via Putin's letter recently delivered by his top diplomat, who met with Kim during a trip to Pyongyang last week, Russian news agency RIA Novosti reported, citing a Russian lawmaker.

In the letter delivered by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, the Russian leader reportedly expressed "best wishes" for the success of the recent diplomacy set in motion to resolve issues related to the Korean Peninsula.

TASS news agency earlier reported that Lavrov invited Kim to visit Russia during the meeting.

It was not clear whether Kim has accepted the invitation.

Lavrov's trip to Pyongyang came as preparations were underway to arrange an unprecedented summit between Kim and U.S. President Donald Trump. The leaders recently decided to meet in Singapore on June 12.

kokobj@yna.co.kr
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