TOKYO, January 13 (Sputnik) — The Russian embassy in Pyongyang could not confirm to RIA Novosti on Tuesday if North Korean leader Kim Jong Un would visit Russia to take part in the celebrations of the 70th anniversary of the Soviet victory in the Great Patriotic War.
"The embassy does not have any supporting information on the issue," the source at the embassy said via telephone.
Earlier on Tuesday, South Korean news agency Yonhap reported citing diplomatic sources that Kim Jong Un was intending to visit Russia and take part in the celebrations in May 2015.
In December 2014, Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov said that his country had sent an invitation to the North Korean leader to take part in the celebrations to mark the 70th anniversary of the Victory Day. Ushakov added that there were "the signals that the North Korean leader was intending to come to Moscow and take part in the ceremony."
Russia celebrates Victory Day on May 9, whereas it is commemorated on May 8 in Europe and America. In 2015, large military parades will be held in 26 Russian cities.
Diplomatic relations between Russia and North Korea were established in 1948, and the countries were close allies during the Cold War. Relations between the countries cooled down after the Soviet Union dissolved, but improved in the 2000s.
